International | Hodge makes Ireland U21 bow

The Boys in Green agonisingly missed out on a place at next summer’s U21 Euros following defeat to Israel, which saw the two-legged play-off go all the way to spot-kicks.

In front of almost 26,000 supporters, the hosts prevailed winning 3-1 in the shootout after a goalless second leg in Tel Aviv.

The tie saw Hodge pick up his first two caps for Ireland under-21s as the midfielder played 73 minutes of the first leg in Dublin, before being replaced just shy of the hour in Tuesday evening’s decider.

Elsewhere, Nathan Fraser collected 75 minutes for Ireland under-19s across the international break and scored in last week’s 6-0 victory over Gibraltar. Three wins from three ensured Tom Mohan’s men topped their qualifying group, which has secured progression to the elite phase ahead of the 2023 U19 Euros in Malta.

Dylan Scicluna started the first of three international friendlies for Australia under-20s, while younger brother Lucas featured for Malta under-19s in their Slovenia Nations Cup fixtures.

Brayden Clarke and Makenzie Bradbury still have upcoming friendly matches for Wales to complete before reporting back to Compton Park.

Full September/October fixture schedule 

Joe Hodge (Republic of Ireland U21): UEFA European Under-21 Championship Play-Offs

• Friday 23^rd September | Ireland 1-1 Israel
• Tuesday 27^th September | Israel 0-0 Ireland (3-1 pens)

Dylan Scicluna (Australia U20): International friendlies

• Thursday 22^nd September | Australia 0-1 Morocco
• Saturday 24^th September | Australia 1-3 Chile
• Tuesday 27^th September | England 3-0 Australia

Nathan Fraser (Republic of Ireland U19): UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifiers

• Wednesday 21^st September | Ireland 6-0 Gibraltar
• Saturday 24^th September | Ireland 2-0 Wales
• Tuesday 27^th September | Hungary 0-1 Ireland

Lucas Scicluna (Malta U19): Slovenia Nations Cup

• Wednesday 21^st September | Malta 0-5 USA
• Friday 23^rd September | Scotland 3-1 Malta
• Sunday 25^th September | Malta 1-2 Croatia

Brayden Clarke (Wales U17): International friendlies

• Wednesday 28^th September | vs France
• Friday 30^th September | vs France

Makenzie Bradbury (Wales U16): International friendlies

• Wednesday 5^th October | vs France
• Friday 7^th October | vs France