Wed, Apr 30, 2008
Republic of Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has drafted four new faces into his 20-man squad to face Northern Ireland in Lurgan on May 13th.
St. Patrick's Athletic's Brendan Clarke and Joseph O'Cearuill, who has played for the senior international side, are included, along with Shane Guthrie of Cobh Ramblers and Ruari Higgins from Derry City.
Both Gavin Peers and Killian Brennan, who scored in the 2-0 win over Slovakia in November are named, alongside St Pat's striker Mark Quigley, the eircom League Premier Division's top scorer.
Fenlon's side are currently second in their group and the manager is hoping to build on the bright start.
"We got off to a great start in this tournament against Slovakia and we must build on this against Northern Ireland. We know from the Setanta Cup that it will be a tough tie away from home but we are looking forward to the challenge," said Fenlon.
Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad
Barry Murphy - Shamrock Rovers Brendan Clarke - St Patrick Athletic Conor Kenna - UCD Ger O Brien - Shamrock Rovers Joseph O Cearuill - St Patrick Athletic Gavin Peers - Sligo Rovers Conor Powell - Bohemians Shane Guthrie - Cobh Ramblers Seamus Coleman - Cobh Ramblers JohnPaul Kelly - Bohemians Killian Brennan - Bohemians Stephen Rice - Shamrock Rovers Paul Keegan - Drogheda United Steven O'Donnell - Bohemians Ruairi Higgins - Derry City Paddy Kavanagh - Bray Wanderers Denis Behan - Cork City Mark Quigley - St Patrick Athletic Dave Mooney - Cork City Gerard Rowe - Bray Wanderers.
© 2008 The Irish Times