Friendly
12.02.2008 at 14:00 - Sochi
Republic of Ireland Under-19 team manager Sean McCaffrey has unveiled his 18-man squad which will take on Russia for two friendly matches on February 10 and 12 in Sochi.
The pair of matches will be used to build preparations for the UEFA Under-19 Championship Elite phase qualifying phase in Belgium, when Ireland will battle it Switzerland, Sweden and the host nation from June 5-10 for the one place at the eight-nation final tournament in Ukraine.
Ireland emerged from the first qualifying phase in November after finishing second in a group that featured Malta, Liechtenstein as well as eventual group winners France.
McCaffrey believes the quality provided by Russia in this double-header will be of enormous benefit to the squad with the qualifiers in mind.
He said: “It’ll be a new experience for everyone travelling to Russia for these games. They are a very strong side qualifying with nine points out of nine and finishing top of their group in the first phase in October.
“I am confident in the squad that is travelling. It includes the bulk of the players who played in the qualifiers and 10 of the players that steered the Under 17’s to the UEFA Championship finals in Turkey last May. ”
McCaffrey has handed a first-call up at this level to striker Charlie Collins. The MK Dons made his first appearance in an Irish shirt at the Under-18 Limoges four-nation tournament in France against Serbia in October but was forced off with a head injury after only ten minutes.
“Last season’s Under-19 squad suffered because of the lack of a centre-forward who could act as a focal point for attacks,” explained McCaffrey. “Joe Mason is unavailable becuase of Plymouth Argyle's FA Youth Cup is taking place that week but another striker, Charlie Collins, is someone who could operate in that role for us this season. We are looking forward to seeing how he performs in these matches against Russia.”
Under-19 Friendly International Fixtures:
Tuesday, February 10
Russia v Republic of Ireland
Sochi
Kick-off: 11.00am (local time)
Thursday, February 12
Russia v Republic of Ireland
Sochi
Kick-off: 11.00am (local time)
Republic of Ireland Under-19 Squad:
Harry Lee - Charlton Athletic (on loan at Arsenal)
Gerard Hanley - Galway United
Lanre Oyebanjo - Histon
Mark Connolly - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Danny Kelly - Norwich City
Niall McArdle - Sunderland
Gavin Gunning - Blackburn Rovers
Shane O’Connor - Liverpool
Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers
Conor Clifford - Chelsea
Gearoid Morrissey - Blackburn Rovers
Richie Towell - Celtic
Damien McCrory - Plymouth Argyle
Conor Hourihane - Sunderland
Paul Murphy - Ipswich Town
Charlie Collins - MK Dons
James Collins - Aston Villa
Ian Daly - Manchester City.
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