UEFA European U21 Qualifiers Group A
Republic of Ireland 1
Norway 1
Stephen Barry reports Turner’s Cross
THERE WAS late heartbreak for the Republic of Ireland as a controversial Norwegian equaliser in the third and final minute of stoppage time denied the hosts a guaranteed European U21 Championship play-off spot.
Seán Roughan broke a tense stalemate in the 75th minute which looked set to seal a top-two finish for Ireland, who can still qualify automatically with a win away to Italy on Tuesday.
However, Sindre Walle Egeli got away with a clear jersey pull on Anselmo Garcia MacNulty and although Tiernan Brooks saved the initial Thelo Aasgaard shot, Andreas Schjelderup was on hand to turn home in front of 5,754 fans at Turner’s Cross.
Suspended striker Sinclair Armstrong and injured captain Joe Hodge were among the major absentees but Jim Crawford threw in another curveball with a change of goalkeeper.
Josh Keeley had been ever-present during this campaign but after his error …