Friendly
09.08.2010 at 19:30 - Morton Stadium
Sean McCaffrey's Republic of Ireland Under-19s take on Ukraine tonight at Morton Stadium, Santry (7.30pm) in the first of this week's double-header friendly.
The second instalment of the duel is set for Tolka Rovers FC, Frank Cooke Park in Glasnevin on Wednesday at 1pm.
These pair of matches act as the main preparation for Ireland's UEFA Under-19 qualification campaign which gets underway with the preliminary phase in Bulgaria from October 7-12 when the Irish meet Serbia, Luxembourg the mini-group hosts bidding to claim one of the top two places to advance them into next year's elite stage.
McCaffrey's squad contains a combination of players from the Under-17 campaign of two seasons ago and some of the younger age-group that came so close to qualifying for the UEFA Under-17 finals last season.
Stephen McDonnell of Dundalk FC, crowned the 2009 FAI Player of the Year on Sunday night, is to feature along with other home-based players Eoghan Osbourne (Drogheda United), Daryl Horgan (Salthill Devon), Craig Walsh (Shamrock Rovers) and Patrick McEleney (Derry City).
Osbourne was drafted into the panel over the weekend following the withdrawals through injury of defenders Derrick Williams (Aston Villa) and Carl McHugh (Reading).
"These to matches are vital in the context of our preparatory work for the qualifiers," emphasised McCaffrey.
"Our preliminary phase group is one of the more difficult across the 13 mini-pools and there's no room for complacency.
"I've worked with these players during the past two seasons and they all will get an opportunity over the two friendlies to convince me of their ability to earn a squad place for the qualifiers."
He concluded: "Ukraine are a nation we've made frequently played over the years at this level and have always given us good matches.
"I'd like to urge the public to come out and support our lads in the Dublin matches today and Wednesday. Between tomorrow's Under-21 game in Tallaght and our double-header, this week is a massive chance for Irish supporters to witness first-hand some real quality young players in action."
Republic of Ireland Under-19 squad: Sean McDermott (Arsenal), Aaron McCarey (Wolves), Declan Walker (Wrexham), John Egan (Sunderland), Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Anthony O'Connor (Blackburn Rovers), Sean McGinty (Manchester United), Eoghan Osbourne (Drogheda United), Daryl Horgan (Salthill Devon), Shane Byrne (Leicester City), Stephen McDonnell (Dundalk), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Liam Irwin (Bolton Wanderers), Craig Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), Patrick McEleney (Derry City), Robbie Brady (Manchester United), Michael Rafter (Colchester United), Ryan Connolly (Derby County).
Fixtures:
Under-19 Friendlies
Monday, August 9
Republic of Ireland v Ukraine
Morton Stadium, Santry (7.30pm)
Wednesday, August 11
Republic of Ireland v Ukraine
Tolka Rovers FC, Glasnevin (1pm).
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