European Qualifier
18.11.1998 at 19:00 - Smedarevo
Everton defender Richard Dunne wins his first Republic of Ireland U-21 cap against Yugoslavia in Smederova this afternoon - 18 months after being put on stand-by for the senior side.
Dunne's career has gone backwards through a succession of injuries and lack of first-team opportunities at Goodison Park, but he has broken back into the Premiership side for the last two matches.
He was called up as cover in April last year when Mick McCarthy's senior side went to Bucharest with an injury-depleted squad.
Dunne was never called into action on that occasion, although he did play for a strong Irish team in Paul McGrath's testimonial match at Lansdowne Road in the summer.
Today the 19-years-old defender will play in a back three alongside Republic U-21 captain Dave Worrell of Blackburn and Cork City's Derek Coughlan as manager Ian Evans switches back to a 3-5-2 formation.
It is a reshuffle which excludes Daryl Clare of Grimsby and Peterborough's Niall Inman from the side which beat Malta 2-1 at Arklow last month.
Middlesbrough's Steve Baker replaces Clare and Colin Hawkins of St Patrick's Athletic is out injured. Aston Villa striker Alan Lee continues to deputise up front for the suspended Barry Conlon.
Evans said: ''I've made one or two changes for tactical and other reasons. I don't know much about Yugoslavia, but like all the Balkan teams they are sure to have a lot of physically powerful players and we have to combat that with strong lads like Dunne and Coughlan.
''It's always a dilemma picking these teams when you want to win but know that you also have the priority of supplying future players for the senior team.
''Clare and Inman both played well against Malta but you have to give others their chance and get a decent look at everybody in a competitive situation.''
Ireland are unbeaten in their group, which also leads to a place in the Olympic Games in Sydney in two years' time for four European sides.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: O'Reilly (West Ham), Boxall (Brentford), Ryan (Millwall), Worrell (Blackburn, capt), Coughlan (Cork City), Dunne (Everton), Mahon (Tranmere), Morgan (St Patrick's), Baker (Middlesbrough), Kilbane (West Brom), Lee (Aston Villa).
Subs: Clare (Grimsby), Inman (Peterborough), Darcy (Tottenham), Grant (Stockport), O'Connor (Bradford PA), Barry-Murphy (Cork City), Folan (Brentford).
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