REPUBLIC of Ireland U-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for next week’s friendlies against Slovakia in Bratislava — their final preparatory games before the UEFA Championship Elite phase qualifiers in June.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for the UEFA U17 Elite Phase tournament (March 13-18).

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

TOTTENHAM defender Cian Hughton — son of former Irish and Spurs full-back Chris Hughton — will make his first International appearance of the season tonight when Ireland’s U-19’s host Chile in Athlone (7.30pm).