Friendly
24.09.2013 at 15:00 - Pat Kennedy Park, Listowel
REPUBLIC of Ireland U16 Head Coach Tom O'Connor has named his squad for two forthcoming friendly matches against Estonia in Kerry.
The two sides will meet at Listowel Celtic FC on Tuesday, September 24 (4.30pm). then will meet again at Killarney Celtic FC's ground on Thursday, September 26 (7.00pm).
At U16 level last season the Irish side had a successful year which concluded with victory in an invitational tournament including Germany in May. The players moving up to U16 level this season had a successful campaign at U15 level including beating Juventus in Qatar in December.
"This is the first game of new campaign and myself and the coaching staff are all looking forward to it," said O'Connor.
"These games are the starting of the preparation for the players for next year's UEFA U17 Championship qualifiers. The whole objective of the games this season is to pan the squad out, include more players and give more lads experience of international football.
"L:ast year was a very successful one for us which culminated in winning the inaugural tournament in Dublin and from there we went on and produced two very good performance with a home-based squad against Celtic and Hibernian FC in August."
O'Connor explained how the U16's playing style is focused on technical play and building on the work the squad does at the 12 national ETP centres around the country.
"We've been using the 4-3-3 system with this age group for a few seasons. It coincides with what the players are being taught at the emerging talent programme," he said.
"Estonia played us last year and they were pleased to come over here again. We try to play a build-up game from the back through the thirds, passing it through the lines.
"These games are excellent for us because we have the opportunity to take it to the likes of Killarney and Listowel. It's Listowel's 50th anniversary so it's fitting that we should visit them.
"The last time we played there in 2008 Mario Goetze played for Germany and he is now a Champions League star. It shows you what can be achieved by these young players. Some of the players are from Cork and Kerry so it's a good opportunity for them to play for their country in front of a home crowd as well."
Republic of Ireland U16 squad:
Conor Masterson (Lucan United FC)
Sean Whelan (Lucan United FC)
Jamie Ahern (Lucan United FC)
Stephen Kinsella (Templeogue Utd FC)
Conor Davis (Templeogue Utd FC)
Avis Ganiyu (Templeogue Utd FC)
Robbie McCourt (St Kevin's Boys FC)
Daniel Mandareu (St Kevin's Boys FC)
Ross Treacy (St Kevin's Boys FC)
Eric Donnelly (Home Farm FC)
Jean Yves Poame (Corduff FC)
Zachary Elbouzedi (Malahide United AFC)
Nathan Seery (Malahide United AFC)
JJ Lunney (Malahide United AFC)
Mark Buckley (College Corinthians FC)
Jesse Stafford-Lacey (St Brendan's FC)
Stephen Nolan (BT Harps FC)
Fixtures
Tuesday, September 24
Under 16 International Friendly
Republic of Ireland v Estonia
Listowel Celtic FC, Kerry (4.30pm)
Thursday, September 26
Under 16 International Friendly
Republic of Ireland v Estonia
Killarney Celtic FC, Kerry (7.00pm)
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