McCaffrey rings changes for U-19’s double header

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named a 20-man squad for next week’s double-header of friendly games with Portugal. The matches, on September 4 and 6 (both 7.30pm) will maintain preparations ahead of the first phase UEFA U-19 qualifying series.

Ireland are scheduled to meet Belarus, Andora and hosts Portugal in the qualifiers from November 1–6, with the top two nations progressing to next year’s Elite phase.

McCaffrey has opted to change the majority of the squad from the panel that played against Chile earlier this month as he attempts to assess all of his players for the competitive matches.

McCaffrey says that these pair of matches will greatly benefit his selection process.

There’s a first call-up for Manchester City’s Paul Marshall. The English-born midfielder has Irish parents and is poised to make his first appearance. Marshall is one of four Man City players in the squad, along with Gary Breen, Donal McDermott and Ian Daly, Hamilton Academicals.

James McCarthy is also given his debut call-up. McCarthy got his first Irish caps last season at U-17 level and makes this squad despite being still an U-18 player.

Spurs’ Terry Dixon has been included on the standby list as he continues to recover from a long-term injury.

“There are a huge number of players in contention for the squad,” added McCaffrey. “We have a pool of around 35 good players to choose from.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-19 squad: S Redmond (Nottingham For); D Bevan (Aston Villa); C Hughton (Spurs); B Moloney (Nottingham For); S Lowry (Aston Villa); N Haverty (St. Patrick’s Ath); G Breen (Man City); I Bermingham (UCD); D Earls (Aston Villa); M Spillane (Norwich); G Carey (Celtic); D Hutton (Spurs); P Marshall (Man City); L Fitzgerald (West Ham); J McCarthy (Hamilton Acad); A Lynch (Bohemians); P Cahalane (Celtic); D McDermott (Man City); C Sheridan (Celtic); I Daly (Manchester City).