Hughton gets Irish U-19 call for second Chile test

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).

Hughton was rested for Tuesday night’s first friendly between the nations, which Chile won 2-1, but he will be one of several changes to the Irish side for the rematch.

The Irish teens are preparing for the UEFA qualifiers in November and the players require an improved display tonight to that shown in Tuesday’s defeat if they’re to cement their slots in the squad for the competitive matches.

Ireland assistant manager Tommy Connolly said: “We would have liked a higher standard of performance on Tuesday but the lads know they’re capable of playing better and getting a win tonight. This second game will be an opportunity for other players to come in and push up the pecking order with the qualifiers not far away.”

Sunderland defender Gavin Donoghue starts in central-defence while eircom League duo Alan Lynch (Bohemians) and Daniel Corcoran (St Patrick’s Athletic) seem to have impressed sufficiently in their substitute appearances during the first game to warrant selection.

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland U-17 manager Sean McCaffrey has named his squad of 18 for an invitational tournament in Lithuania from August 18-23.

Ireland are guaranteed to play four games over six days and the exercise is seen as an ideal warm-up for the European U-17 Championship first phase qualifying mini-group which Ireland are due to host from September 14–19.

For the trip to the Baltic state, Chelsea’s Daryn Hennessy receives his first call up to an Irish squad and is joined by club colleague Conor Clifford, formerly of Crumlin United.

Blackburn Rovers duo Gavin Gunning and Aaron Doran are also selected, as are two Wolves players, defenders John Dunleavy and Mark Connolly.

The Irish will play Azerbaijan in the opening fixture on August 18, before meeting Belarus the following day. Their concluding group match is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21 against hosts Lithuania and results will determine whether Ireland will feature in the final or play-offs on the last day of the event on Thursday, August 23.

Republic of Ireland U-17 Squad: H Lee (Charlton Ath), G Hanley (Salthill Devon), R Towell (Celtic), J Dunleavy (Wolves), M Connolly (Wolves), G Gunning (Blackburn Rvs), K Keane (Derby Co), M Power (Aston Villa), A Doran (Blackburn), C Clifford (Chelsea), G Morrissey (Ringmahon Rangers), C Hourihane (Sunderland), J Smyth (Muirhevnamor), D Hennessy (Chelsea), D Satelle (Crumlin Utd), G Cunningham (Man City), P Murphy (Ipswich Town), K Sheppard (Everton).