Givens makes two additions to U21 squad

Don Givens has made two additions to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for the European 2004 Championship qualifiers against Georgia and Albania in a fortnight’s time.

Givens has brought in Luke Rogers of Shrewsbury Town and Brentford’s Kevin O’Connor as he prepares to face Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday, March 28 and Albania in Tirana the following Tuesday, April 1.

Also included in the squad again is the talented Shelbourne winger Wes Hoolahan who won his fourth cap when he played against the Scotland a month ago. He is the only home-based player selected to travel.

Noel Hunt, the former Shamrock Rovers player, who had just signed for Dunfermline prior to the game against Scotland is included once again along with his Dunfermline team-mate Gary Dempsey.

Jim Goodwin (Stockport County), Thomas Butler (Sunderland) and Graham Barrett (Arsenal), who have all played once for the senior team, will also be making the trip.

IRELAND: Joe Murphy (West Bromwich Albion), Graham Stack (Arsenal - on loan to Beveren), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Jim Goodwin (Stockport County), John Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Clifford Byrne (Sunderland), Thomas Butler (Sunderland), Stephen Paisley (Manchester City), Paul Tierney (Manchester Utd - on loan to Crewe Alex), Gary Dempsey (Dunfermline), Liam Miller (Celtic), J. J. Melligan (Kidderminster), Sean Thornton (Sunderland),

Jonathon Daly (Stockport County), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Graham Barrett (Arsenal - on loan to Brighton), Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne), Noel Hunt (Dunfermline), Kevin O’Connor (Brentford), Luke Rogers (Shrewsbury Town).