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Canaries starlet ‘buzzing’ to continue fine season with debut brace for Ireland U21s

Norwich City striker Adam Idah has been prolific at youth levels for the Republic of Ireland Photo: Paul Chesterton/phcimages.com phcimages.com

Norwich City starlet Adam Idah is ‘delighted’ to score his first goals at under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland – and continue his fine individual season.

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What a header from Adam Idah!



First goal of the Stephen Kenny #IRLU21 era! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Zmidd3sLCM — FAIreland ⚽️ (@FAIreland) March 24, 2019

The 18-year-old striker won his first U21 cap and scored a brace as the Irish beat Luxembourg 3-0 in Dublin, taking his personal tally for club and country for the season to an excellent 19 goals in 30 games.

Idah has 13 goals in 21 matches for City’s U23s in all competitions and also has six in nine at youth levels for Ireland this season, at U18 and U19 level previously, before his U21 debut on Sunday night.

“I’m buzzing and I’m sure all the lads are buzzing,” City’s teen forward said.

“It’s great to get my first two goals for the under-21s. I thought the whole team played excellent and overall it was just a great performance.”

Signed from Corinthians, in his hometown of Cork, in the summer of 2017, Idah has been a consistent scorer at youth levels for Norwich since his arrival and helped the U18s reach the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last season – signing professional terms last summer.

His elevation to the Ireland U21 squad saw qualification for the 2021 European U21 Championship kick-started, ahead of the renowned Toulon Tournament in France in June.

MAN LIKE IDAH! WHAT A GOAL!



67 - The @tallaghtstadium crowd are on their feet, Connor Ronan with a delightful through-ball and Idah finishes! (3-0)#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/DZ0hQxyvHa — FAIreland ⚽️ (@FAIreland) March 24, 2019

Another fantastic #IRLU21 goal!



Fantastic assist from Connor Ronan and Adam Idah powers the ball home!



This has been a brilliant display! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/N1nhcXceUI — FAIreland ⚽️ (@FAIreland) March 24, 2019

“It’s only our first week together, some of us haven’t even played together at all,” he continued, speaking to Eir Sport about his brace.

“So I thought the link-up play was excellent and as you can see the goals we scored were excellent. It all worked well and I’m delighted.

“Everyone’s buzzing. The whole performance was unreal and it was a good style of football, so I think everyone is really happy.

“There are a lot of good players here, so hopefully the future is bright.”

The match was also the first for new manager Stephen Kenny, who has been lined up as former Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy’s successor for the senior team beyond the 2020 Euros, in an unusual approach following Martin O’Neill’s exit.

“I thought we started really, we had a couple of chances early on, but then we lost our way a little bit for a period, got frustrated,” Kenny said.

“But Adam Idah, the value of having a goal-scorer, and he is a goal-scorer, a brilliant headed goal and that relaxed everyone and we went and opened them up.

“We got a great second goal from Neil Farrugia, a really brilliant finish, and the third goal again Connor Ronan and Adam Idah, a great combination they were, a good weighted pass and a terrific finish.

“Frustrated that we couldn’t get more goals because it just wouldn’t go in, but we’ll take 3-0 for sure.”

Idah was named Men’s Under-17s Player of the Year at the Football Association of Ireland’s International Awards earlier this month, following his U21 call-up.

• You can watch videos of both of Idah’s goals above