Crawford’s men clinch crucial victory in Tallaght
FULHAM’S Ollie O’Neill struck an injury-time winner at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night as the Republic of Ireland U21s reignited their European Championship qualification hopes with a 1-0 victory against Sweden in a tense Group F encounter.
Managed by Tallaght native Jim Crawford, the Boys-in-Green dug deep to claim the spoils in dramatic fashion.
Following back-to-back reversals at the hands of Montenegro and Italy, this triumph over the table-topping Swedes was much-needed.
While they are three points behind the Italians with a game more played, Crawford’s charges are just four behind Sweden with a game in hand.
Ireland will face the Scandinavians away from home on 29 March of next year – a fixture that could well define the trajectory of their campaign.
Chances were few and far between on Tuesday, though Joshua Kayode, Will Smallbone and Ross Tierney did have sightings of the goal during the opening period.
Sweden were always likely to possess an attacking threat of their own and Amin Sarr fired just over the crossbar on a couple of occasions after the resumption.
Will Ferry was introduced off the bench by Crawford in the second half and the Crawley Town footballer went close to breaking the deadlock as the tie started to open up.
Kayode was also marginally off-target following excellent approach play by Tyreik Wright.
It had looked set to be a stalemate despite Ireland’s best endeavours, but O’Neill had the final say when his low shot crept past Swede netminder Samuel Brolin in the 91st minute.