Northern Ireland’s Under-21s drew one apiece with Georgia in a Euro qualifier in Ballymena this evening.
The draw for Tommy Wright’s side means they are guaranteed to finish third in Group F in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage.
The reverse fixture saw Northern Ireland earn a fine 1-1 draw in Georgia last September. That was a tight affair, and so was tonight’s game at Ballymena Showgrounds. The U21s had to battle hard to secure the draw on home soil.
For the penultimate game in the group Wright made three changes to the side that defeated Malta 4-0 away last week.
In came defender Jonny Russell to captain the side along with midfielders Ryan Donnelly and Darren Robinson. Midfielder Jack Patterson, attacker Cole Brannigan and defender Bayley McCann dropped to the bench.
Northern Ireland made the early running and delivered a few free-kicks into the area which were comfortably cleared by the Georgian defence.
The first clearcut opportunity fell to the visitors when Vakhtang Salia fired the ball inches past the post.
Dachi Lordkipanidze blasted a shot over the bar and Valia had a free-kick blocked as Georgia enjoyed a period of pressure.
On 23 minutes Northern Ireland striker Makenzie Kirk let fly from outside the area, however his effort drifted wide of the target.
A minute later goalkeeper Stephen McMullan produced a good stop to thwart Salia, while Georgia keeper Giorgi Kavlashvili had to tip a defensive header from one of his own defenders over the bar.
In the 31st minute Eoin Kenny had a good opportunity, however his low strike flew past the post.
Four minutes later Georgia attacker Halid Doltmourziev curled a shot over the top.
McMullan made another decent save from a Valia header at the back post, while down the other end Kenny scooped a shot over the crossbar.
Following a flowing move Lordkipanidze had another effort on goal. This time he steered his shot past the upright.
Georgia took the lead in the 54th minute when Doltmourziev got on the end of a Sam Inwood clearance and hammered the ball into the corner of the net from just outside the area. It was a fine finish.
Northern Ireland almost responded immediately. Shea Kearney raced forward and fed Kirk whose snapshot was superbly pushed away by the Georgian keeper.
McMullan was called into action again to stop a drive from the lively Valia.
Darren Robinson tried to chip Kavlashvili at the back post but the keeper held on to the ball.
Substitute Cole Brannigan found Russell down the left flank and his deflected cross was plucked out of the air underneath the crossbar by the Georgian keeper.
Northern Ireland equalised in the 72nd minute. Russell made ground down the left before firing the ball into the area. Brannigan (pictured) managed to bring it under control and poked the ball home from eight yards.
Georgia pushed again. McMullan clawed away a chip by Aleko Basiladze before substitute Luka Latsabidze steered a header wide.
And in added time the Northern Ireland keeper produced a great save from a Tornike Kvaratskhelia blaster to keep the scores level.
The win sees the U21s secure third place in Group F. The draw took them to 14 points after winning four, drawing two and losing three in their nine group games to date. Georgia, in fourth, have 10 points with just one game left.
Germany top the group with 24 points from nine matches. Greece also have 24 points, however the Germans have a better goal difference. Germany defeated Malta 4-1 away yesterday and Greece defeated Latvia 4-2 at home this evening.
Northern Ireland’s U21s will complete their qualification campaign with a home game against Greece on Tuesday (6 October). That game at Mourneview Park in Lurgan has a 5pm kick-off.
Northern Ireland: Stephen McMullan, Shea Kearney, Jonny Russell (captain), Josh Briggs, Sam Inwood, Darren Robinson, Ryan Donnelly, James Simpson, Makenzie Kirk, Eoin Kenny, Conor Barr.
Substitutes: (used) Cole Brannigan, Jack Patterson, Paul McGovern; (unused) Fraser Barnsley (GK), Kalum Thompson, Matthew Orr, Bayley McCann, Conor Haughey, Callum Burnside.
Georgia: Giorgi Kavlashvili, Akaki Giunashvili, Dato Bukia, Aleksandre Narimanidze (captain), Aleksandre Amisulashvili, Dachi Lordkipanidze, Nikoloz Chikovani, Aleko Basiladze, Halid Doltmourziev, Nikoloz Dadiani, Vakhtang Salia.
Substitutes: (used) Diego Deisadze, Luka Latsabidze, Niko Tsetskhladze, Tornike Kvaratskhelia; (unused) Papuna Beruashvili (GK), Rati Grigalava, Aleksandre Peikrishvili, Gurami Japaridze, Mukhran Bagrationi.
