Givens announces 18-man squad for U-21 double-header

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has announced an 18-man squad for this month’s matches against Spain and Turkey.

The 'Young Boys in Green' will face Spain at Waterford’s RSC stadium on March 27 in their final friendly match before travelling to Cork to take on Turkey at Turner’s Cross on March 31 in the opening fixture of the UEFA Under-21 2011 European Championship qualifiers.

Waterford-native Eddie Nolan has been named in the squad, as has Cork-born David Meyler, who impressed in his Under-21 debut against Germany last month.

Also included in the panel are Jay O’Shea of Galway United and Seamus Coleman, who recently joined Everton from Sligo Rovers.

With the qualification campaign for the UEFA Under-21 2011 European Championships ready to begin, manager Don Givens is satisfied with the squad he has to call on.

"It is a strong squad and we have good players in every position," said Givens.

"Our recent results have been very encouraging - in our last three matches we have beaten Lithuania and drawn with both Portugal and Germany - so we go into these matches on good form.

"Spain have qualified for this summer’s European Championship having won all eight of their qualification matches, so they are a very strong team. I am delighted to be playing a team like Spain because they are the sort of team we want to play to get ourselves ready for the next campaign.

"Turkey will also be strong, but we are happy that we have them at home in the first match of the new campaign. The game is in Turner’s Cross and we’re hoping for a big crowd to come along and support us on the night.

"The people of Cork have always been very good at supporting underage football, and that is a big plus for us as we go into this important match."

Shane Redmond (Eastwood Town), Stephen Henderson (Bristol City), Brendan Moloney (Nottingham Forest), Michael Spillane (Luton Town), Eddie Nolan (Preston North End), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Stephen Gleeson (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McCarthy (Hamilton Academicals), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Michael Liddle (Carlisle United), Alan Judge (Plymouth Argyle), David Meyler (Sunderland), John-Joe O’Toole (Sheffield United), Jay O’Shea (Galway United), Graham Carey (Bohemians), Cillian Sheridan (Motherwell), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace)