‘I was buzzing’ – Jamie Mullins on scoring in his first start for Ireland’s U-21 as Jim Crawford’s men end year on high

Having suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Scandinavian outfit last Thursday, Crawford's next generation of U-21 stars concluded the friendly double-header with a strong shift against Sweden, with goals from Jamie Mullins, Rocco Vata, Mark O'Mahony sealing the win in Marbella yesterday.

With preparations now underway for the Euro 2027 qualifying campaign, Crawford handed several players their U-21 debuts in Spain last week and praised his fresh-faced squad for doing themselves proud in the final international window of the year.

"I thought it was an excellent performance. The players did themselves and their country proud," said Crawford, with the next Euro qualifying campaign beginning next September having missed out on next summer's finals in Slovakia last month.

"It's been a great week for us. We knew Sweden were a pot two team and most of their players are playing first-team football. They have also had a couple of windows under their belt, so they are ahead of us at the moment.

"We have a lot of players still involved in developmental teams, so we knew we were up against it but yesterday's against quality opposition gave us a barometer of where our players are at.

"In the first game, we were beaten 2-0, but there were a few positives. There's no doubt that the players who played yesterday implemented what we went through. It really was an excellent performance.

"If we can get more of our players playing regularly, or even at a higher level than where they are now, it will put us in a really good position for the upcoming campaign.

"The next couple of windows are about the players learning that when the campaign is up and running we're all on the same page in the way we are playing, that is extremely important."

Sunday was also a day to remember for Brighton midfielder Mullins after the former Bohemians player netted his first goal at U-21 level on his first start before also contributing a superb assist for Vata's goal.

"To score on my full debut, I was buzzing," said the 20-year-old, who departed Dalymount for the Seagulls in January 2023.

"I did a one-two with Mark on the edge of the box, the 'keeper came out and I was able to dink the ball over him, so it was nice.

"We knew after the first game that we didn't show the best version of ourselves, but we looked in the mirror and knew we could do a lot better. Once we bring that intensity we are a hard team to play against. We'll always have quality going forward with the players we have.

"I love playing for my country, it's the best feeling in the world. Every time I'm on the pitch, I do the best I can, whether that's goals or assists. I'm just buzzing to be here."