EC Elite Round
27.03.2006 at 19:00 - Dalymount Park
Ireland will play in the UEFA U17 Elite qualifying phase next week in Dublin against Romania, Israel and Serbia & Montenegro. The winners of the group will go to the finals in Luxembourg in May.
The manager of the Republic of Ireland U17 team is waiting for fitness reports on four of his front-line players as he prepares for next week’s three matches in the Elite qualifying phase of the UEFA Championship.
Ireland will compete with Romania, Israel and Serbia & Montenegro for the one qualifying place that is available in the UEFA final tournament in Luxembourg in May.
It is, of course, an advantage to Ireland that the matches will be played in Dublin and Manager McCaffrey welcomed that, but he is concerned about the fitness levels of the four players.
“They are all important players in their own right” he said, “and it would be fantastic for us if all four of them came through, fit and well.
“If we have all of our players available then I would be confident we could win the group. But I also know we will be playing against good opposition and the way the group is set up I expect all of the teams to drop points.”
The four players who will undergo fitness tests are:
Lorcan Fitzgerald, the team captain and left-back. He is with West Ham and suffered a dead leg in a recent match. There is every chance he will be fit to play.
Terry Dixon, the ’Spurs striker is the team’s top scorer and obviously his fitness is vital. He was born in England and qualifies through his mother, who came from Bailieborough. He is receiving treatment for a knee injury.
Christy Fagan, another striker who damaged an ankle playing for Manchester United. The United physio promised to give manager McCaffrey a progress report on Friday.
Donal McDermott, a left-winger with Manchester City who missed a match in the FA Youths’ Cup this week because of recent injury. He was voted Ireland’s ‘Player of the Year’ last year at U16 level.
Ireland’s manager has taken every opportunity to see Ireland’s opponents in action in recent months and he pointed out that all three teams had, just like Ireland, to come through tough qualifying groups in stage one to get this far.
Said McCaffrey: “Israel have a huge team and they have a very dangerous centre-forward in Ben Sahar. He is a big, strong fellow and a terrific finisher. He’s scored 12 goals in his last six matches for Israel.”
He suggested that Serbia & Montenegro might be the most difficult team to play in the group. They had one young player who was signed by Chelsea and has been with them for the last ten days.
Chelsea are reported to have paid two million sterling for him to Partizan Belgrade but the FA in Serbia are trying to prevent the deal going through. The player in question is a member of Serbia’s squad bound for the World Cup finals in Germany.
Ireland have had a fabulous record at this level over the past twelve months, however, and they beat a very strong Ukraine, drew with Italy and beat Latvia in the first qualifying phase.
In addition this group of players won the Nordic Cup tournament in the Summer when they beat England 2-0 in the final. They have also had one goal wins over Portugal and the Netherlands so they have good results against five of the top eight rated teams in the world.
Said McCaffrey: “I have been working with the U17 squads since 2003 and I would rate this squad as a very good group. There is no doubt in my mind but that we are good enough to win this second qualifying phase and get to the finals.
“I am keeping my fingers crossed that the four injured players will come through, however, and if we have everybody then we are certainly good enough.”
The programme of matches is:
Monday 27th March
Serbia & Montenegro v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Kick-off 2.30 pm
Republic of Ireland v Romania
Dalymount Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Wednesday 29th March
Serbia & Montenegro v Romania
Belfield Park, UCD, Kick-Off 2.30 pm
Israel v Republic of Ireland
Richmond Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Friday 31st March
Republic of Ireland v Serbia & Montenegro
Tolka Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Romania v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Kick-off 7.00 pm
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