Irish Under-19 squad named for friendlies against Slovakia

Four players from eircom League clubs have been named by coach Sean McCaffrey in a squad of twenty for two Under-19 friendly matches against Slovakia next week.

McCaffrey has taken over the reins of the team following the appointment of Brian Kerr as senior international manager.

Kevin Derry (Derry City), Stephen Rice (Shelbourne), John Flood (Bray Wanderers) and Patrick Mulvihill (Longford Town) have been named for the matches which take place at Buckley Park in Kilkenny on Tuesday next, February 11, and at Dalymount Park on Thursday, February 13, 2003. The kick-off time for both games is 7.30 p.m.

The matches are being used as part of the preparation for the European Under-19 Championship qualifiers in May.

The Republic meet England on May 19, then face Switzerland two days later and finish up with a game against Slovenia on May 23. The games will be played in Ireland but so far no venues have been chosen.

Two players who were on Brian Kerr’s tournament winning team in the United Arab Emirates two weeks ago are also included. They are Manchester City’s Willo Flood and Glenn Whelan.

The full squad is :

Tim Ditmar (Liverpool), Colin Doyle (Birmingham City), Kevin Deery (Derry City), John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Tim Clancy (Millwall), Kevin Cronin (Leeds United), Eddie Keyes (Leeds United), Stephen Rice (Shelbourne), Willo Flood (Manchester City), Paul Keegan (Leeds United), Glenn Whelan (Manchester City), Stephen Bradley (Arsenal), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Neil Kilkenny (Arsenal), Danny Byrne (Manchester United), Mark Quigley (Millwall), Mark Yeates (Tottenham Hotspur), John Flood (Bray Wanderers), Patrick Mulvihill (Longford Town), Alan O’Brien (Newcastle United).

Coach : Sean McCaffrey.