The squads for Ireland Men’s Under-19s and Men’s Under-17s have been announced ahead of a huge week of Elite Round qualification games.

Tom Mohan’s Under-19s team head to Germany where they will face Finland (Wednesday, March 19th), Slovenia (Saturday, March 22nd) and Germany (Tuesday, March 25th).

Colin O’Brien will take his Under-17s team to Poland to take on Belgium (Wednesday, March 19th), Poland (Saturday, March 22nd), and Iceland (Tuesday, March 25th). 

Both Irish teams can qualify for this summer’s European Championships by topping their respective groups while, for the Under-17s, a group win or finishing as best-place runners-up, will also see them qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November. 

Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers) has been rewarded with his early season form with a  first Under-19s call-up and is joined in the travelling group by Michael Dike (Treaty United) who receives his first international call-up. 

Looking ahead to the games, Under-19s Head Coach Tom Mohan said: “When you get into the Elite Phase you know every country has been at the top of their game to get there because the qualifying phase is getting more and more competitive. 

“It’s a tough group but an amazing opportunity for my players to face the world champions Germany in Germany – it doesn’t get much tougher. But we know the focus has to be on Finland first and foremost, and then Slovenia, it’s a group with four very good teams and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“A lot of this group played at the Under-17s EUROs a couple of years ago and acquitted themselves very well and it’s a huge incentive for them to return. It’s proven that if players play at these major tournaments it’s a huge positive in their development. There’s a real hunger about this team.”

Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers) earns his first call-up to the Under-17s having impressed for his team in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division. His club-mate Alex Noonan also returns to the squad, as does his former team-mate Ade Solanke. Grady McDonnell and Jaden Umeh will also travel to Poland having missed out on International Friendlies against Finland and Hungary in February.

Under-17s Head Coach Colin O’Brien said: “To get through the First Phase is always a tricky path to negotiate but what we have done is put ourselves up against some great opposition and that’s brilliant for any young player to go and test themselves.

“As always at this stage it is a tough group. Belgium are a really good side, they’re unbeaten this year, both in qualifiers and their preparation games, and they know what it takes to be successful around player development. Poland will be the host country, a lot of pressure on them, but some excellent teams down the years and then we play Iceland in game three, who, like so many countries around Europe, have improved massively over the years.

“These games are huge. Not only is there a chance to play at the European Championships but should we be a best-placed runner-up you could be heading to the World Cup, so every game is going to have something riding on it.”

Ireland Men’s Under-19 Squad

Goalkeepers: Oisin Cooney (Finn Harps), Michael Dike (Treaty United).

Defenders: Stan Ashbee (Hull City), Daniel Babb (Ipswich Town), Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Sean Keogh (Dundalk), Cathal McCarthy (UCD), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Freddie Turley (Derby County). 

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Matthew Moore (Hoffenheim), Thomas Morley (Sligo Rovers), Aaron Ochoa Moloney (Malaga CF), Naj Razi (Como 1907).

Forwards: Cian Dillon (Queens Park Rangers), Trent Kone Doherty (Liverpool), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Nickson Okosun (Watford), Ike Orazi (Stade de Reims).

 

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers

Wednesday, March 19 | Finland v Ireland,  Sportzentrum Windmühlenberg, Wolfsburg, Germany, KO 10:00
Saturday, March 22 | Ireland v Slovenia, Sportzentrum Windmühlenberg, Wolfsburg, Germany, KO 10:00
Tuesday, March 25 | Ireland v Germany, Drömlingstadion, Wolfsburg, Germany, KO 14:00

*All kick-offs are Irish time

Ireland Men’s Under-17 Squad

Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers).

Defenders: Billy Canny (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Billy Hayes (St Patrick’s Athletic), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Oskar Skoubo Keely (Bohemians).

Forwards: Charles Akinrintayo (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers

Wednesday, March 19 | Belgium v Ireland, Stadion Miejski im. Karola Kucharskiego, Gryfice, Poland, KO 13:00
Saturday, March 22 |  Poland v Ireland, Baltyk KoszalinKoszalin, Poland, KO 13:00
Tuesday, March 25  | Iceland v Ireland, Stadion Miejski im. Karola Kucharskiego, Gryfice, Poland, KO 13:00

*All kick-offs are Irish time