U19 Squad Review

Group 1 of the Elite Stage of the 2007 UEFA European U19 Championship, takes place in and around the Dublin area from Monday 14 May 2007 to Saturday 19 May 2007. Ireland will face Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary with only the Group winners qualifying for the Tournament Finals to be held in Austria from 16 July 2007 to 27 July 2007.

Manager Sean McCaffrey announced his squad last week, but the final week results in several UK Leagues mean that he may be forced to make changes to his first choice selection. Those most at risk are central midfielders Stephen Gleeson and Alan Power, strikers Adam Rooney and Cillian Sheridan and goalkeeper Shane Redmond. The above players, are members of the first team squad at their respective clubs.

Fulcrum of the Irish midfield Stephen Gleeson, has played an active part in Wolverhampton Wanderers push for a Premiership play-off place in recent weeks and looks almost certain to be withdrawn by his club, who face West Bromwich Albion in the semi-final play-offs on Sunday 13 May 2007 and Wednesday 16 May 2007. The winners will contest the final on Monday 28 May 2007.

Ireland's leading goalscorer throughout the European qualifying and preparatory campaign has been the prolific Adam Rooney, who is currently on loan to Yeovil Town from Stoke City. Adam is a member of the Yeovil match day squad and he too may well be withdrawn by his club. Yeovil face Nottingham Forest in the Championship play-off semi-finals on Friday 11 May 2007 and Friday 18 May 2007. the winners of this contest will play in the final on Sunday 27 May 2007.

The above Championship play-off may also impact on Nottingham Forest pair Alan Power and Shane Redmond. Alan has been part of the Forest match day squad in recent weeks and his withdrawal is also likely. Goalkeeper Shane may also be at risk of withdrawal as he of course covers a specialist position.

With their participation in the Scottish Cup Final, there must also be concerns about the possible withdrawal by Glasgow Celtic of the eighteen year old Cavan striker Cillian Sheridan. Cillian has been part of the first team squad for several weeks and while the injury problems surrounding more senior players appear to have eased, the Glasgow club do have a disappointing record in releasing young Irish players to represent their country.

Manager Sean McCaffrey will have fingers crossed that withdrawals are kept to a minimum but If he does have to call up replacements, there is no doubt that those players will give their all for their country. Sean McCaffrey did confirm that selection of the original squad was a difficult challenge and that several players were unlucky to be omitted.

This is an exciting time for this band of U19 footballers and we must hope that the people of Drogheda, Dublin and all the surrounding and extended areas lend their support to the team by attending what should be quality encounters.

Fixtures

Monday 14 May 2007

Hungary v Germany - Carlisle Grounds, Bray - 2.30pm
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria - United Park, Drogheda - 7.00pm

Wednesday 16 May 2007

Bulgaria v Hungary - Belfield Park, UCD - 2.30pm
Republic of Ireland v Germany - Dalymount Park - 7.00pm

Saturday 19 May 2007

Germany v Bulgaria - Belfield Park, UCD - 7.00pm
Republic of Ireland v Hungary - United Park, Drogheda - 7.00pm