The first African-born player to captain Ireland, Cameroon native Noe Baba, will lead out the Under-17s tonight against Azerbaijan in his new home of Castlebar (6pm).

IRELAND’S U-19 side were unlucky losers to an impressive Portugal in a friendly at Belfield last night.

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-17 and U-19 manager Seán McCaffrey has announced that both teams will compete in tournaments early next year in preparation for the Elite phase of the UEFA Championships at both levels.