Another excellent Ireland U21s showing today during their friendly with Kuwait U22s was abandoned early after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player to an Irish substitute.

It is unknown exactly when this comment was made but Ireland, 3-0 up at the time, tweeted that "The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes.

The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA."

Racism in sport, and football, especially remains an appalling issue and Ireland’s playing squad and staff were courageous to abandon the game in support of trying to stamp out racism, a horrendous blight on society, that still, sadly, makes its presence strongly felt.

After handing out eight debuts across the ninety minutes of Friday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Ukraine, head coach Jim Crawford continued to assess his new-look squad as only four who began that tie remained in the starting side.

As a result, there were full U21 debuts for Josh Keeley in goal, Connor O’Riordan and Sean Grehan in defence whilst debutants, off the bench, from the Ukraine game, Darragh Burns and Ed McJannet started across the midfield.

With a decent League of Ireland presence in the squad too, the Irish had the tools and freedom of a friendly to go and express themselves despite again going up against slightly older counterparts, Kuwait’s U22s.

But age proved no barrier when five minutes in, Ireland stormed ahead, Ollie O’Neill slamming in from close-range to reward an energetic start, Derry manager Ruaidhri Higgins no doubt already mourning the Fulham loanee’s return to Craven Cottage.

Starting with a serious intent, Crawford’s side kept their foot to the throttle and accelerated up to score a second moments later.

Conor Carty, of St Pat’s, the scorer this time with his first strike for the U21s on just his second appearance. 

In a first half of utter dominance, Ireland could and should have had more, hero of the hour Bosun Lawal off target before O’Neill spurned a half-chance as Kuwait were relieved to hear half time at only 2-0 down.

Two more debuts were dished out at the interval, Emakhu and Jack Henry-Francis on alongside Armstrong Oko-Flex.

Emakhu had an immediate impact, taking Ireland’s tally to three goals with a predatory finish.

That though, unfortunately, was to be the final act of significance on the pitch as the racism incident, horrifically, took over. 

A sour note for Ireland’s young stars to end this June international window on but they will be strong for the commencement of Euro 2025 qualification come September.

Off the pitch however, this was a stark, scary reminder of the progress to be made.

Magic and lethal finishing from Andrew Moran and Bosun Lawal saw Ireland U21s come from behind twice in Austria, to earn a merited 2-2 draw with Ukraine in this, competitive, friendly.

Ireland’s last outing came in March, a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Turner’s Cross against Iceland where Tom Cannon and Troy Parrott strikes boosted morale severely. 

Jim Crawford was brave with his starting eleven selection, dishing out three debuts.  Those went to St Pats’ Conor Carty, who’s been in fine form, defender James Abankwah and West Ham’s promising forward, Armstrong Oko-Flex partnering Carty in a front two.

As they acclimatised to the Blad Blaumau setting, both sides started cautiously, feeling each other out as despite Ukraine’s presence at the upcoming European Championships, they, like Ireland, were in the playoff positions to get there.

They played with freedom and as the boys in green found their feet, calamity struck with the concession of a penalty.

Ukrainian midfielder, Artem Bondareko, smashed the ball into the net beyond Tiernan Brooks to open the scoring. 

But Ireland are nothing if resilient under Crawford and led by captain Joe Hodge, in the centre of the park, they marched right back into matters. 

Brighton’s Andrew Moran, mirroring his club teammate Evan Ferguson, was influential and almost equalised in the fortieth minute but Ruslan Nescheret spread himself big and saved well.

Not to be denied though, deep into first half stoppage time, Moran made himself further known, stooping to score Ireland’s, just, leveller, teeing up a well-set second half.

The second half started, reminiscent of the cagey opening quarter of an hour, but the youngsters in green settled quicker and Carty curled a shot in that Nescheret repelled, close from the debutant!

Entering the last twenty-five minutes, Crawford dished out a further three debuts, switching up his attacking options as Dara Costelloe, Darragh Burns and Ed McJannet all entered the fray.

From there, more drama ensued as Ukraine won themselves a second penalty in the seventy-third minute, forward Danylo Saniko calmly converting to restore their lead.

Ireland again though were not to be beaten.

Evoking memories of Nathan Collins’ surging, gliding out from defence goal, funnily enough against Ukraine, in a Nations League tie, central defender Bosun Lawal strode out, up field and surged all the way into the box where he finished like an established striker, lashing across into Neshcheret’s corner. 

With additional time to be played out, Ireland showed spirit and steely resolve to see out the draw, they will be extremely heartened by twice recovering from falling behind, the second especially a sucker-punch given its timing, plenty of positives for Crawford to take.

Heading into Monday’s friendly tie with Kuwait, optimism will be sky high and rightly so following this comeback draw.