19 October 2021; Nickson Okosun of Republic of Ireland before the Victory Shield match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Seaview in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Expand

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19 October 2021; Nickson Okosun of Republic of Ireland before the Victory Shield match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Seaview in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

19 October 2021; Nickson Okosun of Republic of Ireland before the Victory Shield match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Seaview in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

19 October 2021; Nickson Okosun of Republic of Ireland before the Victory Shield match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Seaview in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland’s U17 side are off to the European Championship finals after a dramatic finish to their qualifying campaign today, a superb 3-2 win over Cyprus sealed with a stoppage time goal from Bohemians prospect Nickson Okosun.

Having played out a 2-2 draw with Italy and earned a 3-0 win over Ukraine in the first two games of the Elite round of qualification, Colin O’Brien’s side went into the final game, against qualifying tournament hosts Cyprus, aware that a win would seal qualification while they could still make the finals in the event of a draw.

Ireland trailed 1-0 at half time, drew level on 62 minutes through Luke Kehir but fell behind again.

Shamrock Rovers man Naj Razi scored on 82 minutes to make it 2-2.

Okosun came on for Kehit in added time and scored in the 96th minute to give Ireland that 3-2 and a place in the finals, which will be held in Hungary from May 17th to June 2nd.

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