Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford hopes today’s friendly against Iceland at Turner’s Cross proves to be the beginning of a strong relationship between his side and the Rebel county.

The game is the first U21 international in Cork for 14 years, rather than their usual base of Tallaght Stadium.

Over 5,000 tickets have been sold for their first outing of 2023, and first since last September’s Euro 2023 play-off defeat to Israel.

The manager believes the city is owed a game, having produced countless internationals over the years, and expects a decision to be made on their permanent base soon.

“I think the people of Cork deserve Under-21s football, the amount of output we’ve had in terms of players,” said Crawford, ahead of the friendly (kick-off 4pm).

“Adam Idah, before that you have Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly. There is a real list of players that have come out of Cork. We certainly owe them a game down there.

“One thing we do need is Cork support and Munster support. There are a lot of people travelling down from Dublin as well to watch the game. It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere. Hopefully it’s the start of a strong relationship between Cork and U-21s football. But that decision will be made not too long after this game.”

Crawford named Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge as his new captain earlier this week, and although he tips him for a senior call up soon, he believes the armband will help the 20-year-old develop even more.

“He went to Derry City, picked up a nasty injury and was fighting injuries for a little bit after that, but it shows the nature of the man that he got back playing at an unbelievably high standard,” added Crawford, with the Euro 2025 qualifiers beginning in September against Turkey.

“He came back to us in the play-offs and he didn’t let anybody down. I just know he’ll get better. He takes his football extremely seriously. It means everything to him to be a captain of the U-21s.

“How long do we have him here? I don’t know. I’d love to see him in the next window and the one after that, if everything goes well he goes to the seniors.

“In the last campaign it wasn’t just Conor (Coventry) leading, there were loads in the group leading like Lee O’Connor, Brian Maher and Mark McGuinness. There are lads like that in this team, I think we're well set for this campaign,” added Hodge.

“Israel was the highest standard I had played, I hadn’t played a first team game by then. A couple of weeks later I made my (Premier League) debut. That month and since then has all been a bit mental really,” said Hodge, who has made 10 first-team appearances for Wolves this term.”

Meanwhile, St Patrick’s Athletic centre-back Sam Curtis has been called up from the U-19s to join the squad in Cork.