Ireland U15 to face Italian Giants in Middle East

The Republic of Ireland U15 squad are to meet a Juventus youth side in Qatar next month.

The game will take place at the Aspire Academy in Dohar, Qatar, and is a fantastic experience for the Irish youngsters to take on such an illustrious opponent in such a different climate.

Juventus – or “La Vecchia Signora” (the Old Lady) – are undoubtedly one of the most esteemed and prestigious clubs in Italy, Europe, and indeed the world.

Just last season they won the Scudetto, going the entire league campaign unbeaten and winning their first Serie A title since the infamous match-fixing scandal of 2006.

Niall Harrison’s side had initially been scheduled to play two games against the Aspire Academy squad, but the opportunity to meet the Italians on Tuesday December 18 will now be taken up.

“Juventus are in Qatar at the same time as us so the proposition was put forward to make it a three team mini-tournament and we jumped at that,” said Harrison.

“It’s always great to give our players the opportunity to play against teams with different styles and characteristics than they are used to playing.

“Juventus are one of the best clubs in the world so I can only imagine their underage teams would have a lot of talented players who would be looking to push towards playing for their country.

“Their first team plays a 3-5-2 formation so it’ll be interesting to see if they utilise that formation and give our lads a different kind of test.”

Republic of Ireland under-15 squad:

Brandon Payne: Lucan Utd FC

Conor Masterson: Lucan Utd FC

Corey Chambers: St Kevin's Boys FC

Daniel Mandroiu: St Kevin's Boys FC

Robert McCourt: St Kevin's Boys FC

Avis Ganiyu: Templeogue Utd FC

Conor Davis: Templeogue Utd FC

Steven Kinsella:Templeogue Utd FC

Gareth Doherty: Letterkenny Rovers FC

Jesse Stafford Lacey: St Brendan's Park FC

Josh Miller: Moone Celtic FC

Ismael Diallo: Corduff FC

Jean Yves Poame: Corduff FC

Zachary Elbouzedi: Malahide Utd FC

Ross Treacy: Parkvilla FC

Stephen Nolan: BT Harps FC

Mark Buckley: Corinthians Boys FC

Conor Levingston: Gorey Rangers FC

Fixtures:

Tuesday December 18th
Juventus v Republic of Ireland
Kick-Off - 4pm (Local Time)
Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar

Wednesday December 19th
Aspire Academy v Republic of Ireland
Kick-Off - 4pm (Local Time)
Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar