Ireland begin UEFA U17 qualifiers with Austria clash
Credit:
The Republic of Ireland U17 side begin the Elite Qualifying Round of the UEFA U17 Championships today when they meet group hosts Austria in Schwechat-Rannersdorf (6.00pm Irish).
Head Coach Tom Mohan is looking for his side to being their campaign with a positive result but expects a real challenge against the Austrians.
“Being the hosts you know the Austrians are going to provide a stern test. Colin O’Brien has watched them and we’ve done our homework on the Austrians. There is a large crowd expected at the game so that will provide its own challenge,” said Mohan.
“It is cold here and there has been a bit of snow but nothing that would unduly worry us. The weather we’ve trained in this week in Dundalk was more or less the same.
“The opening game in these groups is hugely important. We’ve prepared well for it and we’ll go into the game with a positive attitude.”
Dean O’Halloran will miss the game through suspension after picking up two bookings at the previous qualifying stage.
The Irish have a tough qualifying group with the Austrians joined by Georgia and Serbia with just the group winners progressing to the finals in Slovakia this May.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Peter Burke (Sunderland)
Harry Doherty (Charlton Athletic)
Robin Dempsey (Aston Villa)
Ryan Rainey (Wolves)
Dan Cleary (Liverpool)
Pierce Mitchell (Bristol City)
Conor Dimaio (Sheffield United)
Bobby Moseley (Birmingham City)
Dylan Barnett (St Joseph's Boys)
Craig Donnellan (College Corinthians)
Cody Mulhall (Stella Maris)
Harry Charsley (Everton)
Cian Kavanagh (St Kevin's Boys)
Jack Byrne (Manchester City)
Dean O’Halloran (Fulham)
Eoghan Stokes (Leeds United)
Reece Grego-Cox (QPR)
Jake Mulraney (Nottingham Forest)
UEFA U-17 European Championships 2012-13 Elite Round – Group 2
March 25: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Sportzentrum Schwechat-Ranners, Schwechat-Rannersdorf (6.00pm Irish)
March 27: Republic of Ireland v Georgia, WFV Hirschstetten, Vienna (11.00am)
March 30: Republic of Ireland v Serbia, WFV Hirschstetten, Vienna (2.00pm).
