Clarion Hotel Four-nation Tour
05.09.2009 at 17:00 - Carlisle Grounds
The Republic of Ireland U19 side begin preparations for the UEFA Championship qualifiers this week when they host the Clarion Hotels U19 Four Nations Tournament which includes the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey. McCaffrey's side kick-off the tournament when they face the Netherlands at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, Saturday (tomorrow) at 5pm and the Irish boss has called up four new players following the withdrawal of Aaron Doran (injury), Gavin Gunning (called up to Irish U21 squad), Mark O' Brien (injury) and Conor Henderson (injury).
Coming into the fold is Cork's John Egan (Sunderland), Darren McAuley (Derry City), Callum O'Connor (Blackburn Rovers) and former Irish schools U18 international, Andrew Boyle (UCD).
The Republic of Ireland will compete against Turkey, Holland and Portugal in the Four Nations Tournament, with matches being played at the Carlisle Grounds, Richmond Park, Tallaght Stadium and the UCD Bowl. Tickets for matches will be priced €5 for adults and €1 for Under-16s, with all proceeds from the Under-16 tickets going to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.
Irish manager, Sean McCaffrey expressed his excitement at the upcoming tournament, "Over the next number of days, we host three of the top underage sides in Europe at this Clarion Hotels U19 Four Nations Tournament. All of the teams competing are well known for their exciting attacking style of football and we are sure to be in for six interesting games at four venues throughout Dublin and Wicklow. While the tournament will be key in our preparations for the upcoming UEFA Championship qualifiers in November, we are expecting a tough and competitive challenge from the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey."
"The proceeds of children's tickets are going straight to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, and I am delighted that we can do our bit to help the fantastic work that is carried out at the hospital," added McCaffrey.
The Clarion Hotels U19 Four Nations Tournament is seen as ideal preparation for the Irish U19 team as they look ahead to the UEFA Championship qualifiers which kick-off in November. McCaffrey's side travel to San Marino where they will compete in the first qualifying phase where they will face Albania, Italy and San Marino for a place in the elite qualifying phase from the 13th-18 November.
Republic of Ireland squad
Andrew Boyle - UCD
Callum O'Connor - Blackburn Rovers
Ciaran Gallagher - Finn Harps
Conor Clifford - Chelsea
Conor Hourihane - Sunderland
Darren McCauley - Derry City
Gearoid Morrissey - Blackburn Rovers
Gerard Hanley - Galway United
Gregory Cunningham - Manchester City
Jamil Adam - Barnsley
John Egan - Sunderland
Joseph Mason - Plymouth Argyle
Patrick McEleney - Sunderland
Richard Towell - Celtic
Robert Brady - Manchester United
Robert Kiernan - Watford
Ronan Murray - Ipswich Town
Stephen McDonnell - Celtic
Shane McEleney - Derry City Football Club
Clarion Hotels U19 Four Nations Tournament Fixtures
September 5
Republic of Ireland v Netherlands - 17.00hrs, Carlisle Grounds
Portugal v Turkey - 17.00hrs, Richmond Park
September 6
Netherlands v Portugal - 15.00hrs, UCD Bowl
Republic of Ireland v Turkey - 19.30hrs, Richmond Park
September 8
Turkey v Netherlands - 13.00hrs, Carlisle Grounds
Republic of Ireland v Portugal - 15.00hrs, Tallaght Stadium
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