Watson Helps Ireland Under-21s To Victory In Opening Championships Qualifier

Derby County midfielder Louie Watson was in international action for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s on Friday afternoon.

Watson was named in the starting line-up as Ireland’s youngsters faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifier.

The two sides met as part of Group F, which also contains Montenegro, Sweden, Italy and Luxembourg, and was played at the FF BH Football Training Centre in Zenica.

Ireland were 2-0 winners, thanks to goals from Salford City’s Tyreik Wright and West Ham United’s Conor Coventry, and Watson got 80 minutes under his belt before being substituted.

Next up for Ireland’s Under-21s is a trip to Luxembourg in their second qualifier on Tuesday 7th September (3pm kick-off).

The winner of the group will automatically qualify for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, while the runners-up will reach the play-off stage to reach the finals.

Watson, 20, now has four caps to his name at Under-21 level for Ireland after making his debut towards the end of last season.