Friendly
04.03.2014 at 19:30 - Turners Cross
Doolin announces U19 squad for friendlies in Cork
REPUBLIC of Ireland U19 head coach Paul Doolin has named his squad for next weeks friendly games against Romania in Cork.
The Irish host the Romanians at Turners Cross on Tuesday, March 4 (7.00pm) then the two sides meet again at Blarney United on Thursday, March 6 (12.00pm).
Doolin has handed first time call-ups at this level to a number of players. Belgian-based goalkeeper Liam Bossin follows his club-mate Robin Walsh - who recently played at U17 level for Tom Mohan - into the Ireland set-up, Shelbourne defender Lee Desmond, Cork City midfielder Darren Murphy, UCDs Dylan Kavanagh and AFC Bournemouths Josh O Hanlon are all drafted. Ben McLaughlin and Ryan O Reilly also return to the international scene.
"I am delighted to get these games and have the chance to have a look at different players as we built up towards the Elite Phase of the qualifiers in May," said Doolin.
"Liam Bossin is interesting. He was recommended to us by the Anderlecht youth academy coach Jean Kindermans. His mother Majella Carton is Irish. Liam played in an Anderlecht U21 side that recently met AC Milan in the final so it will be good to have a look at him.
"Lee Desmond has done very well for Shels since coming back from Newcastle United while the likes of Dylan Kavanagh and Darren Murphy have done well for their clubs. The home-based players have shown their ability in recent months but the big thing at that level is ensuring their fitness matches the players they will come up against in international football.
"I was also pleased to see Ryan O Reilly return to action after injury. He is a talented defender. Ben McLaughlin has been doing well for his club too. Josh O Hanlon impressed me at Longford Town so it will be good to work with him."
The Irish boss was particularly pleased with how his side performed to top their group in the first phase of the UEFA U19 Championships and is glad to be working with them again.
“I do not think people really understood how good an achievement it was to qualify from the group in Sweden in October,” he said.
“It is frustrating that this is the first time I’ve worked with the players since then but our focus is now on preparing for the Elite Phase.”
Republic of Ireland U19 Squad:
Eric Grimes (Leeds United)
Liam Bossin (Anderlecht)
Kyle McFadden (Norwich City)
Lee Desmond (Shelbourne)
Noe Baba (Fulham)
Ryan O Reilly (Stoke City)
Ben McLaughlin (Everton)
Bobby Moseley (Birmingham City)
Adam Wixted (Derby County)
Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Alex O Hanlon (Liverpool)
Connor Dimaio (Sheffield United)
Liam Kelly (Reading)
Thomas Mulroney (St Patricks Athletic)
Darren Murphy (Cork CIty)
Dylan Kavanagh (UCD AFC)
Alan O Sullivan (Aberdeen)
Josh O Hanlon (Bournemouth)
Sam Byrne (Manchester United - on-loan at Carlisle United)
FIXTURES
Republic of Ireland U19 v Romania
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Turners Cross (7.00pm)
Republic of Ireland U19 v Romania
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Blarney United, Cork (12.00pm)
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