Matt Healy not shying away from the ultimate aim of making history
The opportunity to be a part of history. It’s a carrot any hungry competitor would bite your hand off for.
That’s the opportunity Jim Crawford’s current crop of Republic of Ireland under-21s have as they look to become the first Irish side to qualify for a major tournament at that particular age group.
Their flawless start to the Euro 2025 qualification campaign sees them sitting top of the pile prior to matchday four in a six-team group that also contains Italy, Norway and Turkey.
Next up for Crawford’s charges is a trip to Norway before they welcome the Italians to Turner’s Cross next week.
For Ireland midfielder Matt Healy, there’s no hiding away from the ultimate goal of qualification.
“Definitely. We’ve huge belief in the group,” the 21-year-old said. “To go and qualify, that’s the aim. We’re looking at these this game ahead now, we’re just going to focus on getting three points.
“You can see from the first few games. Against Turkey, we come back and win, Latvia, we were comfortable and San Marino we were comfortable as well but we’re confident coming into these two games (Norway and Italy).
On the challenge that awaits Healy and Co. at the Marienlyst Stadium on Friday evening, the former Cork City midfielder, now plying his trade in the Belgian second-tier was not shy to note their desire to gain maximum points in Norway’s South-East.
“Norway are a good outfit,” remarked Healy. “But, these are the games you want to play in. We’ll back ourselves, the aim is to get the three points.”
One player absent from Jim Crawford’s midfield ranks is Andy Moran, the playmaker currently stationed with Stephen Kenny’s senior squad ahead of the trip to Amsterdam on Saturday.
For midfield partner Healy, while Moran’s excellence
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