Friendly
22.09.2000 at 20:00 - Bescott Stadium Walsall
Paul McGrath's son Chris has been handed the chance to follow his father into the Irish team after being named in the u16 squad to face England at Walsall's Bescot Stadium next Friday.
Brian Kerr has added the 15-year-old Liverpool player to the new u16 squad as they build up towards the European Championship qualifiers in late October.
Young McGrath has been involved with the Irish squad before. Vinny Butler, the u15 manager, called Chris up for a get-together with his squad last year and he impressed enough for Brian Kerr to add him to the u16 squad.
Father Paul was delighted when he was told that his son had been called up. He said: "This is a great honour for Chris and I'm delighted for him."
The game against England will be a good test for the Irish as they bid to see how much they have improved from their u15 days. Moving up a level can always be difficult, but Kerr has a talented bunch to work with and they should do their country proud.
Ireland face Latvia on October 27 and underage kingpins Spain a couple of days later in their qualifying group for the European Championships. It will be tough to qualify, but never write off the Irish.
Ireland squad: Morgan Cranley (Belvedere), Darren Kelly (Ipswich Town), Simon Cox (Reading), Kieran Sharkey (Belvedere), Pierre Ennis (Aston Villa), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn) Chris McGrath (Liverpool), Conor Kenna (Coventry), Eddie Keyes (Belvedere), Glen Whelan (Man City), Ian McGrane (Wolves), Stephen Bradley (Arsenal), Wayne O'Sullivan (Arsenal), Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Niall McCafferty (Charlton), Stephen Elliot (Man City), Robbie Shields (Leeds United), Denis Behan (Abbeyfeale), Gerard Rowe (Sunderland).
Brian Kerr has lost two of his u16 squad for tonight's friendly against England, which takes place at Walsall's Bescot Stadium at 20:00.
Due to injury, both Darren Kelly (Ipswich) and Stephen Elliot (Manchester City) have withdrawn for the squad and Kerr has decided not to replace them. That leaves him with a squad of 17 to pick from as he tries to get the winning feeling back into the team.
Paul McGrath's son Chris should make his debut for the boys in green tonight at centre back - and if he proves half as good as his Da he will have a long and successful career for the Irish.
Ireland squad: Morgan Cranley (Belvedere), Simon Cox (Reading), Kieran Sharkey (Belvedere), Pierre Ennis (Aston Villa), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn) Chris McGrath (Liverpool), Conor Kenna (Coventry), Eddie Keyes (Belvedere), Glen Whelan (Man City), Ian McGrane (Wolves), Stephen Bradley (Arsenal), Wayne O'Sullivan (Arsenal), Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Niall McCafferty (Charlton), Robbie Shields (Leeds United), Denis Behan (Abbeyfeale), Gerard Rowe (Sunderland).
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