Republic U-20s clash with Korea

THE Republic of Ireland Under-20 side take on Korea today in the Al Nahyan Stadium, as they kick off their preparations for March’s World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates, with manager Brian Kerr insisting that the trip has already proved to be a useful exercise (kick-off 7.15, 3.15 Irish time).

After the Korea match, Ireland face the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday before finishing the tournament against France on Friday, and Kerr has stated, even before a ball has been kicked, that choosing to travel to Abu Dhabi midway through the season was the right decision. "It's given us a chance to look at everything so we can fight our corner for March. The local culture seems to be relaxed it appears that unless to demand help they leave you to your own devices and while the hotel, food and stadiums are fantastic, maybe the emphasis is not on the training grounds. They do some things very well and others not so well.

"Now the next job is the matches and the tournament. Everybody is fine now, there is still a little bit of tiredness and the two lads who came in on Sunday morning Stephen Capper and Kevin Doyle are obviously very tired. It was a long day for them yesterday with three flights and I hope Stephen Capper recovers so he can play. Everybody else is fine so we have a full squad to pick from."