Ireland Men’s Under-17s Head Coach Colin O’Brien has named his squad for three games in Croatia next week and two Harps players have been called up including Josh Cullen for the first time as he joins Gavin McAteer in the squad.
Cullen’s involvement brings to 12 the number of Finn Harps players in international squads this year to date, joining Daniel O’Reilly, Hughie Sweeney and David Crawford ( Ireland Futsal), Oisin Cooney (Ireland MU19), Gavin McAteer (Ireland MU17s), Kyra Gavigan (Ireland U15 Schools), Daniel Cunningham (Ireland Schools), Corey Sheridan (Northern Ireland MU17s) and Odhran McHugh, Lukas Doherty (Northern Ireland MU15s) and Kevin Jordan (Irish Colleges & Universities).
McAteer and Cullen link up with young Boys in Green as they face under-18s opposition in Norway, Türkiye and Croatia in their first preparation games for the World Cup in Qatar this November.
Last Sunday, Ireland discovered their group opponents when they were drawn against Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama in Group J of the World Cup.
Shamrock Rovers’ striker Michael Noonan returns to the squad as does club mate Max Kovalevskis.
Of the squad, 17 players have come through the EA SPORTS LOI Academy.
Ireland Men’s Under-17s Squad
Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers).
Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Finn Sherlock (TSG Hoffenheim).
Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers).
Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Billy Hayes (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).
International friendly fixtures (kick-off times are Irish time)
Wednesday, June 4 | Ireland v Norway, Stadium Kotorbika, Croatia, KO 14.30PM
Saturday, June 7 | Türkiye v Ireland, Stadium Kotorbika, Croatia, KO 14:30PM
Monday, June 9 | Croatia v Ireland, Stadium Ludbreg, Croatia, KO 10.30AM