EC Qualifying Round
21.10.2002 at 19:00 - Saint Colman's Park - Cobh
Brian Kerr stressed last night how invaluable a good start against Germany would be for his Republic of Ireland U17’s tonight as they head into one of the most challenging groups imaginable in the Euro Championship qualifiers.
Ireland play Germany at St. Colman’s Park, Cobh, tonight at 7.30 pm while the other teams in the group, France and Slovenia, clash in Fermoy at 2.30 pm. The top two after a round robin series in the Cork area this week will go on to a second qualifying tournament for the finals in Portugal next year.
France are viewed by many as the favourites to win the Cork group. Their team won an international tournament that included Brazil and Argentina last year but Kerr insists in highlighting the overall quality in the group.
He said: “Germany deserve to be classed as favourites alongside France. They won a tournament in England last year that included England, Spain and Italy.
“I’ve watched tapes of those matches and know how good they are. They recently beat Northern Ireland 5-0 and 6-0 in friendlies, they’ve beaten Slovenia 4-0 this year and Switzerland 2-0.
“In their last four games they’ve won 2-0, 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0. I don’t think they’ll get seven against us but Germany will be very, very good. France will be excellent as well and they will be a handful for us.”
Ireland have several youngsters confidently expected to grow into important senior internationals.
“Stephen O’Donnell, who is at Arsenal, Aiden McGeady at Celtic is a very, very good player, so is Patrick Cregg, another at Arsenal,” said Kerr.
“The fans will enjoy watching Stephen Foley-Sheridan in midfield. He was only fifteen when he helped Villa win the Youths’ Cup last season. In defence Gerard Nash at Ipswich is a commanding centre-back and Paul McShane at Manchester United has had problems with injury but they are very keen on him at Old Trafford.”
Ireland play France on Wednesday at Turner’s Cross and finish their programme by playing Slovenia on Friday again at Turner’s Cross.
Meanwhile, Kenny Cunningham could be out of action for several weeks after suffering a knee problem. The Birmingham man has damaged a medial ligament which he aggravated in training on Friday.
IRELAND: Goalkeepers; D. Quigley (St. Joseph’s), C. Logan (Leicester City), C. Carroll (Celtic).
Defenders: D. Kelly (Cherry Orchard), G. Nash (Ipswich Town), D. Elebert (Preston), K. Mulcahy (Villa), P. McShane (Manchester Utd), S. McFaul (Notts County), C. Lyng (Wexford Celtic).
Midfielders: S. O’Donnell (Arsenal), S. Foley-Sheridan (Villa), P. Cregg (Arsenal), D. O’Brien (Belvedere), M. Sheridan (Huddersfield), S. Ireland (Manchester City).
Forwards: A. McGeady (Celtic), G. Gill (Derry City), N. Flynn (Sunderland), A. Keogh (Leeds Utd), L. Best (Notts County), R. McGavigan (Leicester City).
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