Former Letterkenny Rovers player Abankwah reflects on Ireland’s U-21 Euro heartbreak

Former Letterkenny Rovers player James Abankwah was a part of the Republic of Ireland team whose European Under-21 Championship qualification hopes came to an end with a draw away to Italy in Trieste on Tuesday night. 

A goal from Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei was cancelled out by Irish captain Andy Moran’s second-half strike but they couldn’t conjure up a winner to top the group. 

Instead, Ireland fell to third based on their head-to-head record against Norway (one draw, one defeat), who secured the necessary victory over Turkey, 5-1, to nick a place in the play-offs. 

The former Letterkenny Rovers player who plays just 75km away from Trieste, reflected on the upsetting result but stated; "It shows the future of Ireland is bright. 

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"No matter what, we just keep going. Even after going a goal down, to come back, we dug deep, we did well but just couldn't cross the finishing line. 

"Those two games (home draws against Latvia and Norway), we should have done a lot better. And today it has cost us." 

Abankwah signed for Italian Serie A giants Udinese for a record League of Ireland transfer fee believed to be in the region of €500,000 in 2023. 

After moving to Longford, James went on to play for local club Melview and then Dublin schoolboys outfit Cherry Orchard before joining St. Pat’s. Beforehand, he played for Letterkenny Rovers in 2011 as a seven-year-old under coaches Michael Boyle and Brian Gallagher.