The Republic of Ireland Under-19 and Under-17 teams have discovered their opponents for their respective 2021/22 UEFA European Championship qualification campaigns.
Following the draw today in Nyon, Tom Mohan’s Under-19 side will take on Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, while Colin O’Brien’s Under-17s will face Poland, North Macedonia and Andorra.
Both the Under-19 and Under-17 sides were top seeds for the draw as they’re ranked among UEFA's top 10 with the teams 9th and 10th respectively.
The FAI will now work with UEFA and the national associations of our opponents to confirm fixture dates and venues – all details will be announced in due course.
Speaking after the draw, Ireland Under-19 Head Coach Tom Mohan, said: “ There's no easy games in international football. Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovina have been very good at this level and Montenegro are a competitive and difficult opponent at this level too.
"We hope we'll all be in better place by the time the games come around with regards to COVID-19 but all we can do is focus on ourselves and our game.
"It's a difficult time for underage international football, everyone is in the same boat, but it's important we have our Underage National Leagues up and running to best prepare us."
Ireland Under-17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien added: “It’s great to see the draw and it gives us games to aim for in 2021 and we now have an opportunity to plan for our opponents.
“The 2005 age group played Poland twice last year in Galway and will be Under-17s by the time we play these qualifiers. I managed against Andorra last year and North Macedonia is a new challenge for us but we look forward to the challenge of the group.”
Republic of Ireland Under-19 2021/22 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers.
Group 6
- Republic of Ireland
- Bulgaria
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Montenegro
Republic of Ireland Under-17 2021/22 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers:
Group 5
- Republic of Ireland
- Poland
- North Macedonia
- Andorra
