News

Twenty eight players participated in this morning’s training session at the NTC in Abbotstown as the squad completed preparations for tomorrow evening’s friendly encounter with Northern Ireland in the Aviva Stadium. Matt Doherty has withdrawn from the squad following the head injury incurred with his club last weekend. Glenn Whelan will captain Ireland tomorrow night in his eighty fifth and probably final international appearance, although the Aston Villa midfielder has not formally retired and remains available should his country ever need him. Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that teenage Southampton striker Michael Obafemi, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria and England, will be considered for action tomorrow night but will not be involved in the competitive match against Denmark on Monday evening. 

Head Coach Paul Osam saw his U16 side restore pride with a crushing four nil defeat of Wales in their second contest of this year’s Victory Shield, played in Mounthawk Park, Tralee this Wednesday afternoon. First half goals from Louie Barry (West Bromwich Albion) and Oliver O’Neill (Fulham) set Ireland on their way and two second half goals from Andrew Moran (Bray Wanderers) and O’Neill again completed an excellent performance. 

Our U17 side suffered a comprehensive four one defeat by Germany in their final match of the Invitation Tournament which took place in Dublin over the past six days. Following their earlier defeats by England and the Czech Republic, this afternoon’s humbling defeat leaves Head Coach Colin O’Brien with much food for thought. Germany were always in command this afternoon, with Matt Everitt’s goal mere consolation in an otherwise dispiriting performance.  

Under 18 Head Coach Jim Crawford,  who will be assisted by Andy Reid, has named his squad for the upcoming U18 International Tournament in Spain. Ireland will be joined in the competition by England, Holland and Belgium whom they will meet in their opening encounter in the Pinatar Arena at 1pm (Irish time) on Thursday afternoon. The squad includes 14 players from the U17 squad which performed so excellently at last May’s European Championship Finals.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Sean Bohan (Bohemian), Kian Clarke (Shamrock Rovers)
Defenders: Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers), Tom Gaston (Bordeaux), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Max Murphy (Stoke City), Ray O’Sullivan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Reece Staunton (Bradford City)
Midfielders: Sean Brennan (Southampton), Barry Coffey (Glasgow Celtic), Shane Flynn (Leicester City), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday), Jason Knight (Derby County), Brian McManus (Preston North End), Callum Thompson (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Forwards: Jake Ellis (Bray Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Tyriek Wright (Aston Villa)

 

Our U17 side complete their Invitation Tournament schedule when they face Germany in Tallaght Stadium at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Following defeat to England and the Czech Republic in their opening two contests, Colin O’Brien and his squad will be anxious to complete their involvement with a more positive result this afternoon.

Our U16 side suffered a disappointing three one defeat by Northern Ireland in their opening Victory Shield contest played in Mounthawk Park, Tralee early on Monday evening. After a scoreless first half the North took the lead on sixty two minutes but Ireland equalised just a minute later through Fulham striker Oliver O’Neill. The push for the winner proved counter productive as the visitors scored twice in the closing stages for a victory they just about deserved.

Manager Martin O’Neill has announced his revised senior squad for the upcoming contests with Northern Ireland and Denmark. Twenty eight players were involved in training at Abbotstown this morning with U19 captain Lee O’Connor of Manchester United being amongst that number, but purely for training purposes only. Glenn Whelan will lead Ireland in his farewell appearance in the friendly against Northern Ireland on Thursday evening before departing the scene. Matt Doherty, named in the revised squad, has not yet joined the Group and is receiving treatment at his club Wolves following a head injury incurred in their draw at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Teenagers Caoimhin Kelleher and Michael Obafemi have both been retained. Injury ruled out Shane Long and Derrick Williams while Sean McDermott, Ciaran Clark, Greg Cunningham, Jimmy Dunne, Ryan Manning and Richie Towell have been jettisoned from the provisional squad announced last week.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle, Caoimhin Kelleher, Darren Randolph
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy, John Egan, Richard Keogh, Darragh Lenihan, Kevin Long, Enda Stevens
Midfielders: Harry Arter, Robbie Brady, Alan Browne, Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, James McClean, David Meyler, Callum O’Dowda, Shaun Williams
Forwards: Ronan Curtis, Scott Hogan, Sean Maguire, Michael Obafemi, Aiden O’Brien, Callum Robinson