Jim Crawford seeking 'real north star' on Republic of Ireland's horizon

RTÉ News​

25-05-2025

The back end of the Sport Ireland campus, where the FAI HQ stands, had a tranquil feel to it in the afternoon heat on Wednesday.
While the blazing sun was responsible for the heightened temperature, earlier in the day, the road towards Euro 2028 had been simmering that wee bit more.
While there's an entire World Cup campaign and Nations League to come between now and then, UEFA did confirm the qualification structure and the potential fate that awaits the Republic of Ireland senior team as one of the co-hosts alongside England, Scotland and Wales.
The good news was that two spots at the finals tournament will be reserved for the two best-ranked host nations who don't qualify automatically. So no guarantee for the Boys in Green but the door is that bit more ajar.
So it was with that backdrop that RTÉ Sport encountered Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford within the FAI's press conference room with the squad he has named for next month's friendlies against Croatia and Qatar's Under-23s listed on the big screen behind him.
It's an intriguing 24-man selection with a significant presence of players either produced by or still playing in the League of Ireland, including teenagers like Mason Melia and Cathal O'Sullivan who are well ahead of schedule in their nascent careers.
And after near misses for in the last two Euro qualifying campaigns, Crawford is hopeful that his new crop can not only make the difference when the road towards the U21 Euros in 2027 begins in earnest from September but that the best of the bunch could have major tournament experience under their belt before 2028 when hopes are that they could graduate into a senior team that will hopefully be having a busy summer the following year.
"I think that's the ultimate experience, qualifying for the European finals at 21s level and why would you say that? It's the stage that you're playing on, it's the amount of eyes that are on you from different leagues, (it) would be fantastic for the players to rub shoulders with top European players in such a stage (and) would be great for the players to learn," Crawford said.
"So that to me is the experience that we're going after and I've no doubt about it, if we got to the finals and players performed well, it would certainly sky-rocket their careers wherever that is, whether Heimir takes them in for the next international window or they get a move from their current club.
"But I think the possibilities would be endless for the players and first and foremost that's what we're after as a group is that the players enjoy the experience and get the most out of it.
"But second to that is you stay competitive in your group to the very end and that's what we have been doing. But the real north star is to qualify for the finals."
Crawford has taken particular pride in seeing some of the Under-21s he has capped getting drafted into Heimir Hallgrimsson's recent squads, with two more cabs off the rank for the seniors' June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.
"You've got Josh Keeley invovled in a League One play-off in Wembley Stadium (which is) brilliant and then you've got Killian Phillips... what a story that is," said Crawford fondly.
"It's an amazing story where the first time I met Killian was in the FAI transition year course down in Corduff and he showed a real desire and passion for his football and then next thing I knew we were bringing him into the Under-21s and he never let us down."
Phillips, who spent the season on loan at St Mirren from Crystal Palace, started out in the LOI with Drogheda United and his pathway is the most common one within the squad Crawford has named.
While St Patrick's Athletic striker Melia will be linking up with Tottenham Hotspur in January after his big-money move, Cork City's O'Sullivan is being tipped to join Crystal Palace.
The 18-year-old would be doing so with plenty of men's football experience in his legs given the Brexit rules have precluded a move to the UK at a younger age.
And O'Sullivan's exploits mean that Crawford has no hesitation moving him up from the U19s.
"Back when he was playing in the First Division, I was saying, 'OK that's great, can he now do it moving up a league into our top league?' And he has. I think he's been excellent and I'm looking forward to working with him," he said.
"I haven't met him yet but I believe he's a great character and that's what we want, who we want as a group.
"I know we have 24 players for this window. We want 24 players with strong characters that will do anything they possibly can to stay in this squad because, look, we had a big provisional list for this window and we had players who were also in the Premier Division, the First Division and all over Europe that haven't made it and I'm sure they're disappointed but it's about coming into camp in June, working hard and showing people how good you are as a player."
Ireland will face England, Slovakia, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Andorra in the qualifiers and having taken on Scotland and Hungary in March friendlies, Crawford is hopeful that Croatia and Qatar can give his Boys in a Green another throrough examination in Zagreb on 6 and 10 June respectively.
"They're the games you want. You want to be challenged. There's no point going and playing games against pot five or pot six teams where it becomes a little bit false and easy for players," he said.
"Croatia first and foremost will be a real challenge to the players and it's one I'm looking forward to and I hope that the 24 players selected are looking forward to it and I've absolutely no doubt that they will."