Ireland's U19 squad ready for Norwegian test

The Republic of Ireland U19 side will play Norway at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray (7.00pm), tomorrow night in the first of two friendly games this week.

Paul Doolin’s side have come together for their first game of the new season ahead of their UEFA Championships qualifying campaign which begins in October.

Doolin’s side were unbeaten in ten games last year but were eliminated at the main qualifying round stage by eventual winners Serbia.

The Irish boss is now focusing on the challenge ahead with his latest batch of talented youngsters and believes this game and Thursday afternoon’s meeting with the Norwegians will be of benefit to his side.

“Training has gone well since we got together on Sunday. We have had a couple of changes to the original squad and there’s not a lot you can do about that,” said Doolin.

“The main thing is being ready for the qualifiers in October and establishing with these players how we want them to play, which is what has given us success in recent years.

“We’ll play out from the back if it’s the right time and defend when the opposition has it. We won’t change what has worked for us before.”

Doolin is looking forward to working with several new faces who were impressive at under-17 international level last season and others who have impressed with their clubs.

“The likes of KJyle McFadden after winning the FA Youth Cup with Norwich is somebody I’m looking forward to seeing  and the likes of Dean O’Halloran, Jake Mulraney, Cody Mulhall and Connor Dimaio did well with the U17s,” he said.

“Players like Sean Long, Noe Baba and Sam Byrne were with us last season so we’ll be looking for them to stamp their authority on the squad we have here.

“Norway will be a good test as they are a country with a solid underage structure. Everybody will get a run over the two games but it’s all about getting them into the frame of mind for what we’re looking for from them.

“Our first game in October is against Azerbaijan. It’s a tricky group so we have to be as well prepared as possible.”

Ireland meet Norway at Carlisle Grounds, Bray, on Tuesday, August 13 (7.00pm) and the same opponents at UCD Bowl, on Thursday, August 15 (1.00pm).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U19 SQUAD

Eric Grimes (Leeds Utd FC)
Aaron Myles (Nottingham Forest FC)
Noe Baba (Fulham FC)
Seán Long (Reading FC)
Kyle McFadden (Norwich City FC)
Ryan McConnell (Manchester United FC)
Evan Finnegan (Doncaster Rovers FC)
Eoghan O'Connell (Celtic FC)

Connor Dimaio (Sheffield United FC)
Alan Browne (Cork City FC)
Jack Byrne (Manchester City FC)
Jake Mulraney (Nottingham Forest FC)
Dean O'Halloran (Fulham FC)

Adam Wixted (Derby County FC)
Sam Byrne (Manchester Utd FC)
Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers FC)
Sean Coyne (UCD AFC)
Cody Mulhall (Hibernian FC)

Tuesday August 13th
Under 19 International Friendly
Republic of Ireland v Norway
Carlisle Grounds, Bray (7.00pm)

Thursday August 15th
Under 19 International Friendly
Republic of Ireland v Norway
UCD Bowl (1.00pm)