Neil Farrugia ruled out of Toulon Tournament

UCD winger Neil Farrugia has been forced to withdraw through injury from the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad for the forthcoming Toulon tournament.

In an ironic twist, given the glut of SSE Airtricity League postponements triggered by the Maurice Revello tourney in France, Farrugia tweaked his hamstring in the Students’ 1-0 Premier division defeat at the Waterford RSC on Friday.

Farrugia, who was on the mark for the U21s in Stephen Kenny’s first match as manager, will be replaced in the squad by Reading winger Josh Barrett.

Born in Oxford to Irish parents, Barrett has represented Ireland at Under 15, Under, 17 and Under 19 levels. He made his sole previous appearances for the Under 21s as a substitute against Slovenia three years ago.

Neil Farrugia has been in excellent form for UCD this season, missing just one game for Collie O’Neill’s side.

The 20-year-old put the Students ahead against Dundalk in February before they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Oriel Park – his only goal of the season.

Josh Barrett joined the rest of the squad for training at the Johnstown House Hotel this week for training ahead of Ireland’s departure on Saturday for Provence, where they will play China, Mexico and Bahrain in their group matches.