Doolin names Ireland U18 squad to face Wales

Republic of Ireland Under 18 manager Paul Doolin has announced a squad to take on Wales in an international friendly next week.

The squad is made up entirely of home-based players, and will face their Welsh counterparts next Tuesday, at Bangor City FC (7.30pm kick-off).

There are several players in the squad currently with League of Ireland clubs, such as Jake Dykes of Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps’ Cathal McDaid - two players that have already tasted senior action with their clubs.

The game will also be an opportunity for several players playing in the FAI Youth Inter-League competition, with players such as Aileach FC and Inishowen Youth League’s Georgie Kelly as well as Liam Flatley, of Castlebar Celtic and Mayo Youth League.

Speaking on the announcement of the squad, Doolin said: “It’s a very young squad and it may take them a while to make a real push towards the U19 international squad but I think this game will prove to be a useful exercise.”

He said: “These games give players and opportunity to play international football and you never know who will catch the eye in a fixture like this.

“For example Pierce Sweeney played in a similar game in Wexford last year and went on to become an integral part of the U19 squad. Even he might not have imagined that a year later he’d have captained his country at U19 level after playing in that game.”

The full squad is:

Jake Dykes (Sligo Rovers FC),

Alan Browne (Cork City FC),

Cathal McDaid (Finn Harps FC),

Conor Tourish (Derry City FC),

Lloyd Buckley (Shamrock Rovers FC),

Shane Mackey (Tramore AFC),

Ryan Goldsmith (Mayfield United FC),

Gareth McCaffrey (Stella Maris FC),

Peter Healy (Mervue United FC),

Darren Kilcawley (Sligo Rovers FC),

Georgie Kelly (Aileach FC),

Alex O’Callaghan (Liffey Valley Rangers FC),

Conor O’Driscoll (Cork City FC),

Darragh Black (Finn Harps FC),

Anthony McAlavey (Cork City FC),

Shane Morrissey (Waterford Bohs FC),

Liam Flatley (Castlebar Celtic FC),

Paddy Slevin (Derry City FC).