Academy Internationals: Devenny makes debut and Umeh grabs brace

Academy

18 Oct 2023

Palace Academy midfielder Justin Devenny made his first appearance for Northern Ireland Under-21s this month, while Franco Umeh scored a brace for Republic of Ireland Under-19s against Scotland Under-19s.

Recent summer signing Justin Devenny was called up to join the Northern Ireland Under-21s for the first time. He joined from Scottish Championship side Airdrionians and has featured in every game for Palace’s Under-21s since moving south of the border.

Devenny hit the ground running in red and blue, with a goal and two assists to his name across all competitions at U21s level. His performances have impressed Tommy Wright, his former manager at Airdrie and current Northern Ireland U21s Head Coach.

He travelled with the Northern Ireland contingent ahead of their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Serbia.

He was an unused substitute in their 1-0 win against Azerbaijan, but managed to make his debut for Northern Ireland U21s in their game against Serbia. Devenny played 81 minutes, but his side narrowly lost 2-1.

Umeh has been in fantastic form for the Under-21s this season, with four goals and an assist across all competitions, and has managed to carry his domestic form onto the international stage.

He scored both goals in the second-half against Scotland - the first saw him coming in off the left and finishing brilliantly off the woodwork, whilst the second just a few minutes later came from him racing in behind to get on the end of a flick on.

He came on in the second-half against the Faroe Islands, a game which the Republic of Ireland won 3-0.

Watch both of Umeh's goals against Scotland below!

Fellow Irishman Séan Grehan was called up for the Republic of Ireland U21s side. He joined Jim Crawford’s setup for their UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier against Latvia, though he did not feature.

The defender has been in fine form for Palace’s U21s so far this season, scoring two goals in eight appearances and captaining the side in the absence of Jack Wells-Morrison. He even made the first-team matchday squad in the EFL Cup against Plymouth Argyle.

Jadan Raymond, the midfielder who recently made the first-team matchday squad for the first time, was called up for Matty Jones’ Wales U21 side for their game against Czechia, though he did not feature.

Owen Goodman, who has been impressing on loan at League Two outfit Colchester United this season, won his second cap at this level against Romania. He played the full 90 minutes, though England fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Fellow 'keeper Joe Whitworth was an unused sub in this game and in the following fixture against Portugal, where England fell to a 2-1 defeat in stoppage time.

Formerly known as the Under-20s, the England Men’s Euro Elite League squad is open for players born between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004 to open up opportunities to a wider range of developing players.

Played in a league format, the Elite League will see England take on Romania, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Czechia and Netherlands across the rest of the season.

England Elite Squad – Joe Whitworth & Owen Goodman

Thu, 12th October: Romania 2-0 England (Goodman played the full 90, Whitworth was an unused substitute)
Tue, 17th October: England 1-2 Portugal (Whitworth was an unused substitute, Goodman was not involved)

Northern Ireland U21s - Justin Devenny

Thu, 12th October: Azerbaijan U21s 0-1 Northern Ireland U21s (Devenny was an unused substitute)
Mon, 16th October: Northern Ireland U21s 1-2 Serbia U21s (Devenny made his debut, playing 81 minutes)

Republic of Ireland U21s - Seán Grehan

Fri, 13th October: Latvia U21s 1-2 Republic of Ireland U21s (Grehan was an unused substitute)

Republic of Ireland U19s - Franco Umeh

Wed, 11th October: Republic of Ireland U19s 2-0 Scotland U19s (Umeh scored both goals and played 86 minutes)
Sat, 14th October: Republic of Ireland U19s 3-0 Faroe Island U19s (Umeh came on in the 72nd minute)

Wales U21s - Jadan Raymond

Fri, 13th October: Czechia U21s 1-1 Wales U21s (Raymond was an unused substitute)

Related News

More News