IRELAND U17S have secured their place at the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.
It is the first time the men’s national team have reached the tournament at U17 level — the women’s side achieved the feat in 2010.
Colin O’Brien’s squad also narrowly missed on qualification for the U17 Euros.
A 5-0 win over Iceland meant they finished second in their group, a point behind Belgium, who beat them in the opening fixture.
Benfica’s Jaden Umeh, whose brother Franco was with the Ireland U21 squad in Pinatar this week, scored twice, adding to the brace he registered in the 2-0 win over hosts Poland at the weekend.
Billy Canny (St Patrick’s Athletic), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim) and Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers) were also on target in the comprehensive win.
The Belgians’ 2-2 draw with Poland earlier today meant they pipped Ireland to the top spot and Euros qualification.
The Boys in Green were then made to wait as their World Cup qualification was dependent on the outcome of later games.
Ultimately, six points were enough to secure O’Brien’s side a place at the Qatar tournament, as they finished among the four best runners-up out of the seven qualifying groups in League A.
The 48-team tournament will take place later this year between 3 and 27 November.
Ireland: Moloney, Canny, McDonagh, Leonard, Sherlock, McDonnell (Akinrintayo, 58’), Finneran (C), McMahon-Brown (McAteer, 82’), Martos (Ozhianvuna, 73’), Umeh (Brody, 81’), Hayes (Solanke, 81’)
Iceland: Ingvason, Ketilsson, Asgeirsson, Arnarsson (C), Samuelsson (Egill Orri Arnarsson, 46’), Andresson (Kristjansson, 46’), Gudmundsson, Sævarsson (Dadasoon, 46’), Gunnarsson (Johannsson, 63’), Gurung, Gudjonsson (Halldorsson, 63’)
Referee: Danilo Nikolic (Serbia)
UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Round Results
Wednesday, March 19 | Belgium 1-0 Ireland
Saturday, March 22 | Poland 0-2 Ireland
Tuesday, March 25 | Ireland 5-0 Iceland
Ireland Men’s Under-17 Squad
Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers).
Defenders: Billy Canny (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient).
Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Billy Hayes (St Patrick’s Athletic), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Oskar Skoubo Keely (Bohemians).
Forwards: Charles Akinrintayo (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).
That’s nothing, shamrock rovers and Lucan are way ahead of them
I can’t wait to not watch them.
@De Zach Same: congratulations. You’re family must be very proud.
@Brendan Heery: your
@De Zach Same: if you can’t see the growth potential from a marketing, sponsorship, and participation level and the potential net-new revenues that will almost certainly be accrued from Women’s football, then that’s all that needs to be said on that matter.
Typical Real Madrid! Making history from scratch… Again
@Dónal MacAonghusa: they’ve been pretty much given no option but to have a team . They looked at this several times and never showed any enthusiasm . Adidas ‘persuaded’ them as part of the new deal 120M€ /year … when you think of all the sports wear that women wear that can now have that logo the possibilities are endless . On top of that the Atletico Madrid women’s team has caught the imagination and have had League games played in the Wanda with superb attendances . It’s all part of a big push to support women in sport going on in Spain . But in this case Real Madrid are being pushed it’s fair to say .
Hop on board the Real Madrid Bandwagon… there’s Gold in them there Women’s World Cup hills….