O’Reilly hoping to unearth a few gems

AN unfamiliar looking Republic of Ireland U18 squad flew out to Portugal yesterday to take part in the Viseu International Tournament.

11 of the 18-man squad are uncapped with manager Noel O’Reilly describing the squad as “the most inexperienced I’ve ever worked with,” though he is hoping that the three-game tournament which will see Ireland face Turkey, Portugal and Norway, will produce one or two unexpected stars.

“I said to them that a lot of the younger players who have broken into the senior ranks first made impressions at tournaments like this. It’s a terrific opportunity for them all. You can’t compensate for international experience, it is immeasurable but I’m looking forward to what will be a test.”

Included this time is Everton’s Anthony Gerrard, a cousin of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Kevin Thornton, brother of U-21 star Sean, Northampton Town duo, Luke Graham and Paul Danaher, and Ciaran Donnelly.

All will hope to win their first caps over the next five days with Ireland due to face Turkey tomorrow (4pm), Portugal on Thursday (4pm) before finishing the tournament on Saturday with a clash with Norway (9.30 am).

Republic of Ireland U17 manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for two games against Turkey this week. Ireland take on the Turks in Bursa on Thursday (12.30pm), before moving on to Yalova for a second game on Saturday (12.30pm)

Under 18s: Logan (Leicester City), Treacy (Oldham Athletic), Elebert (Preston North End), Lyng (Preston North End), Gerrard (Everton), Collins (Huddersfield Town), O’Brien (Bolton Wanderers), Thornton (Coventry City), Donnelly (Hamilton Academicals), Foley (Cheltenham Town), Keogh (Leeds United), Ridgway (Luton Town), Salmon (Cherry Orchard), Graham (Northampton Town), Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic), Gill (Derry City), Danaher (Northampton Town), Platt (Liverpool).

U17s: Randolph (Charlton Athletic), Duggan (Stoke City), Synnott (Ipswich Town), O’Leary (Aberdeen), Morris (Leeds United), Reilly (Home Farm), JP Kelly (Liverpool), Chambers (Shelbourne), Fitzgerald (Lourdes Celtic), Dennehy (Shelbourne), Stokes (Arsenal), Clarke (Ipswich Town), S Kelly (Kingdom Boys), Kearney (Everton), Lordan (Ipswich Town), Meehan (Maymount Celtic), Bracken (Lourdes Celtic), Walsh (Celtic).