The under-21s have two upcoming matches, facing Scotland on March 21st and Hungary on March 24th. The squad is stacked with talent and potential, but I’ve highlighted five standout players worth keeping a close eye on.
Mason Melia – St Patrick’s Athletic
Soon-to-be Tottenham player Mason Melia kicked off his 2025 League of Ireland campaign in style last weekend, scoring in St Pat’s 3-0 victory over Bohemians. It’s a perfect time to hit form, and hopefully, he can carry that momentum into the international break.
Jack Moorhouse – Manchester United
After making a couple of appearances on the Man united team sheet Jack Moorhouse has rightfully been selected for his first appearance in the under-21s squad, Jack has been outstanding for the Man United academy and obviously impressed Ruben Amorim which is a great sign. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I’m very excited to see this lad play.
Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh – Southampton (on loan at Accrington Stanley)
19-year-old Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh has truly found his stride since joining Accrington Stanley on loan. After making the switch from Southampton during the winter transfer window, he has impressed with three goals in seven games, including a standout display against Newport. Joe is strengthening his case for more opportunities at a higher level, and fans will be eager to see him shine for the under-21s!
Franco Umeh – Crystal Palace
Since making the move from Cork to Croydon, Franco Umeh has become a key figure for Crystal Palace under-21s and has even earned occasional call-ups to the senior squad. He shone for the under-19s, and hopefully, the transition to the under-21s will be just as smooth. It’ll be exciting to see Franco in action as he looks to establish himself as an important member of the team, especially after serving more of a squad role during his previous stint.
Joe Gardner – Nottingham Forest (on loan at Lincoln City)
Joe Gardner has earned his first international call-up following a string of impressive performances for Lincoln City, where he’s on loan from Nottingham Forest. Highly rated within Forest’s under-21 squad, breaking into Nuno’s high-flying Reds proved challenging this season, making a loan move the ideal choice. Gardner recently opened his scoring account for Lincoln, and fans will be hoping he can do the same for Ireland’s under-21s during the break. We all know the talent he possesses, and we’ll be on the edge of our seats watching him in action.