Following the news last week that Harps WU17 player Kyra Gavigan has been included in the weekend’s Irish U15 Schools team, there have been several more callups for Harps players.
Kevin McHugh said “These recent call-ups from our Finn Harps girls and boys academy is something we certainly do not take for granted and its brilliant recognition for the players and their families.
We now have players representing both Northern and Republic of Ireland at the highest level and it’s something we certainly want to build on as an Academy”.
Oisin Cooney and Gavin McAteer Called Up for MU19s and MU17s for Elite Qualifying
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.”
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.”
UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers *All kick-offs are Irish time
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
UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers *All kick-offs are Irish time
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
Corey Sheridan Called Up for Northern Ireland U17s for Elite Phase Qualifiers
Northern Ireland’s Men’s Under-17 head coach Andy Waterworth has named his squad for U17 Euro 2025 elite round qualifiers later this month.
Round 2 League A will decide the seven teams joining hosts Albania in this year’s U17 Euro finals, which will take place between 19 May and 1 June.
Northern Ireland have been drawn in Group A7 along with hosts England, Slovenia and Israel, with the games in the mini tournament being played between 19 and 25 March at St George’s Park.
Waterworth has chosen a 20-strong squad for the three games at the FA’s national training centre in Staffordshire.
Matchday one will see the U17s take on Slovenia on Pitch 4 at St George’s Park next Wednesday (19 March) at 7pm.
Their second game is on the same pitch against Israel on Saturday 22 March, and once again it’s a 7pm kick-off.
Northern Ireland’s final game in the mini tournament is against England. That match is scheduled to be played on Pitch 6 at St George’s on Tuesday 25 March (7pm).
Waterworth’s side reached the elite round after topping their group in round one of the qualifiers in November. They registered wins against both Scotland and Republic of Ireland, and were defeated by Lithuania, in Round 1 Group 8.
The U17s warmed up for the elite round qualifiers by taking part in a preparation tournament at La Nucia in Spain last month. It was organised by the Norwegian Football Federation.
Northern Ireland drew 1-1 against Poland and 0-0 with Norway in Spain, and they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Sweden. All three of those countries are also taking part in the elite round qualifiers this month.
Daniel Cunningham Called Up for Centenary Shield
Daniel Cunningham has been selected as part of the Republic of Ireland Schools squad for their upcoming Centenary Shield game against Wales on Thursday in Tramore.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Sam NEVILLE, Ethan CHEESE (both Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN, MacDaragh SCANLON, Billy REGAN, Jacob CARROLL (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School)
MANAGEMENT | Derek O’BRIEN, Head Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Alan MURPHY, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John POWER, GK Coach, Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)
Lukas Doherty and Odhran Mc Hugh called up to Northern Ireland U15s
Lukas Doherty and Odhran Mc Hugh called up to Northern Ireland U15s who play the Republic of Ireland U15s on Saturday 29th March FAI HQ, Abbottstown, Dublin.
