Smith names amateur squad

Republic of Ireland Amateur Manager, Gerry Smith has named an 18 strong which will face Holland in Whitehall on Wednesday, March 14 in Whitehall, Dublin.

Sun, 04 Mar, 2007 - 12:43

Republic of Ireland Amateur Manager, Gerry Smith has named an 18 strong which will face Holland in Whitehall on Wednesday, March 14 in Whitehall, Dublin.

Included in the squad is eircom FAI Junior International Player of the year, Michael Keogh who finished top scorer in last year's FAI Senior Challenge Cup after Killester United's tremendous run in the competition.

The Republic of Ireland were unlucky not to qualify for this summer’s UEFA Regions Cup after Gerry Smith’s side finished 3rd in the UEFA Regions Cup Intermediary Round behind France and the Basque Region of Spain who had a superior goal difference to the Irish.

After also failing to make the final tournament are the Netherlands who were pipped to the UEFA Regions Cup spot by Portugal’s Aveiro in an extremely tight group 2 which also included Sweden and Estonia.

Republic of Ireland Manager Gerry Smith looked ahead to the fixture. He said: “This is our first fixture since the UEFA Regions Cup Intermediary round and I am looking forward to playing a very competitive Dutch side, who were also knocked out of the Regions Cup.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to get back to winning ways and I have no doubt that this extremely talented Dutch side will give us a massive test,” he added.

Republic of Ireland:

Brendan O’ Connell - College Corinthians.

Adrian Walsh - Carrick Utd.

John Carroll - St. Kevins Boys.

Paul Breen - St. Michaels

James Waksh - St. Michaels

Paul Mc Cabe - Crumlin Utd.

Patrick Patton - Fanad Utd.

Stephen Murphy - Killester Utd.

Declan O’ Connell - Douglas Hall F.C.

Neil O’ Brien -Belgrove F.C.

Ian Callaghan - Wayside Celtic.