Colin O'Brien names his side for Uefa European U17 Championship qualifiers

QUALIFIERS:Ireland Men's U17 Head Coach Colin O'Brien has named a squad of 20 for next week Uefa European U17 Championship qualifiers. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ireland Men's U17 Head Coach Colin O'Brien has named a squad of 20 for next week Uefa European U17 Championship qualifiers.

Shamrock Rovers Ade Solanke is named among the group alongside Benfica's Jaden Umeh, Newcastle's Rory Finneran, Vancouver FC's Grady McDonnell, Finn Sherlock of Hoffenheim and St Patrick's Athletic's Michael Noonan.

Speaking ahead of the qualifiers O'Brien said “We will be facing three teams who will provide different challenges for us and each will believe they’ve a chance of progressing to the Elite Round.

“It is up to us to be at the standard that is required for a European Championship qualifier and while some of the squad would have played competitively at this level before, for the others this will be their first time but we’ll be well prepared and the players will know what’s required.

“I’m excited for the games, they’ll be a real test and these games are huge for the development of our young international footballers.”

Ireland take on Lithuania in Larne on Tuesday and will face Northern Ireland on Friday November 1 before ending their qualifying round against Scotland on Monday November 4.

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s Squad 

Goalkeepers: Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Ali Topcu (Shelbourne).

Defenders: Billy Canny (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Muhammad Oladiti (Shamrock Rovers), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Ade Solanke (Shamrock Rovers).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Vancouver FC), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Oskar Skoubo Keely (Bohemians), Goodness Ogbonna (Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Billy Hayes (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), Michael Noonan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).

Ireland’s Group 8 UEFA European U17 Championship Qualifiers 

Tuesday, October 29: Ireland v Lithuania, Inver Park, 12pm 

Friday, November 1: Ireland v Northern Ireland, Seaview 6pm

Monday, November 4:  Scotland v Ireland, Inver Park 3pm