McCaffrey gears up for Slovak tests

REPUBLIC of Ireland U-19 manager Sean McCaffrey has named an 18-man squad for next week’s friendlies against Slovakia in Bratislava — their final preparatory games before the UEFA Championship Elite phase qualifiers in June.

McCaffrey admitted: “We are getting closer to the UEFA Elite qualifiers and it’s important that we start focussing on those matches in June. Therefore, these two games are crucial as it gives us the opportunity to get the balance of the team right.

“At this stage of the season, we probably know our best team but there is a chance for players to impress and enhance their prospects of inclusion in the squad for the qualifiers.”