Givens names an 18-strong U-21 double header panel

REPUBLIC of Ireland U21 manager Don Givens will bring an 18-man squad together for the upcoming European Championships qualifying double-header against Bulgaria and Portugal.

The young Irish side take on Bulgaria in Sofia on September 5 before travelling to Madeira to face Portugal on September 9 for the final two matches of the European Championships qualifying campaign.

Already with an eye on the next qualifying campaign, which begins in September 2009, Givens has begun the process of bringing the group of players eligible for 2009-10 through to the U21 ranks.