80 CAPS TARGET FOR LEE

MARK MCCADDEN

BY

HE HAS 75 Ireland caps at all levels AND one mascot appearance.

No one has made more appearances at underage level for the Boys in Green than Lee O’connor - who yesterday revealed that he led out the under-21s as a nine-year-old.

Tonight the Tranmere Rovers man is back in under-21 action and is aiming to steer the his side closer to a place in the history books when they take on Bosnia & Herzegovina.

To become the first Irish side to qualify for the

Under-21 Euros, O’connor said yesterday, would be his greatest achievement yet.

This coming from a youngster who has been on the books at Man United, who played for Celtic and who won International Player of the Year at Under-15, Under-19 and Under-21 level, and who captained the 19s to the European finals in 2019.

“Definitely, I’d probably swap all the player of the year awards to qualify,” said the Waterford native, who can play in defence and midfield.

“Nobody has done it. Last year was probably the closest we’ve come to it. It is the perfect way to sign off for my underage career.”

O’connor, who made his debut at Under-15s level against Poland, could never have imagined playing so often by the age of 21.

But now that he is on 74 youth caps, plus his one with the seniors, he doesn’t want the journey to end.

“It’s my last (underage) campaign hopefully and I want to get to 80,” he said. “And the only way to get to 80 is if we qualify.”

Wins for Ireland at home to Bosnia tonight and

Montenegro next

Monday should guarantee a play-off spot.