Ireland U17: O'Brien names squad for Russia test in Spain
The games, which are all part of the Under-17s preparations for qualifiers for the UEFA European Under-17 Championships, will see Ireland face Russia on Friday, September 6th and Monday, September 9th.
They will take on Andorra, Montenegro and Israel in the qualifiers in November.
Sixteen players from seven SSE Airtricity League clubs make up Colin O’Brien’s first squad for the new season.
Speaking a head of the games Head Coach Colin O'Brien said: "A lot of the players would have played with Paul Osam's Under-16s and this is the natural progression to this level. It's a strong squad of 20 and many of those are based domestically. There's a lot of good work going on in the country to develop players and this is their chance to show what they can do internationally.
"Russia is a challenge I'm looking forward to. They [Russia] are a strong side. They are aggressive in the press and quick on the counter attack and it's a challenge for our players to match them. These games are about preparing us for the qualifiers in November and there are similarities between Russia and the teams that we will face."
Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad
Goalkeepers: Josh Keely (St Patrick’s Athletic), Daniel Rose (Everton)
Defenders: Gavin O’Brien (Bohemians), Fionnan Coyle (Finn Harps), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), Oisin Hand (Shamrock Rovers), Daragh Reilly (St Patrick’s Athletic), Adam Wells (Shamrock Rovers),
Midfielders: Robert Mahon (Bohemians), Oran Crowe (Cork City), Ben McCormack (St Patrick’s Athletic), Colin Conroy (Bohemians), Kailin Barlow (Sligo Rovers), Andrew Moran (Bray Wanderers), Kyle Martin-Conway (St Patrick’s Athletic), Olabosun Lawal (Watford)
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Bohemians), Sinclair Armstrong (Shamrock Rovers), Calum Kavanagh (Middlesbrough), Daniel Gildea (Finn Harps)
Fixtures
September 6: Ireland v Russia, KO 4pm, Club de Fútbol La Nucía, Spain
September 9: Ireland v Russia, KO 11am, Club de Fútbol La Nucía, Spain
Social media
Team: #IRLU17
Match: #IRLRUS