We are rapidly approaching the day when Ireland field a side with zero players who were born before Italia '90. Indeed, the stunted development of players born in the '90s was evidence of that; a decline could be traced through their path. Kevin Long was born a month later and, like Stevens, was off the radar when Irish underage bosses were picking teams. That has been inflated by cameos for the likes of Will Smallbone and Troy Parrott, while Connolly's brace against Spurs was a memorable moment. Expand Close Adam Idah celebrates after scoring for Ireland U21s with team-mate Troy Parrott during the European U21 Championship qualifier against Sweden at Tallaght Stadium last November.

Source: Irish Independent July 17, 2020 19:30 UTC