Cian Lee off to sunny Spain
Trim teenager Cian Lee has been upgraded from standby for the Republic of Ireland u-17 panel by head coach Colin O'Brien for a training camp and friendly matches against Hungary and Romania in Oliva (Spain) next week.
Cian Lee was one of the nominees for the Meath Young Sportsperson of the Year award two weeks ago at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim.
Ireland will meet Hungary on Thursday 9th February and then they will meet Romania two days later on Saturday 11th February.
O'Brien's side are preparing for the UEFA u-17 Championships Elite Qualifying Phase where they will travel to Cyprus in March to face the hosts, Slovakia and Faroe Islands as they bid to qualify for the finals that will be hosted by Croatia in May.
'These games in Spain next week will be a key part of our preparations for the Elite Qualifying Round in March so we're very pleased to have this
opportunity to bring the squad together,' said O'Brien.
'Since we were last together some of the players have been out of season while those based in the UK are still in season so it's chance to gauge where they
are fitness wise.
PANEL
Republic of Ireland u-17 panel - Cian Lee (St Patrick's Ath), Brian Maher (St Patrick's Athletic), Tom Murphy (Everton), Lee O?Connor (Manchester Utd), Kameron Ledwidge (St Kevin's Boys), Nathan Collins (Cherry Orchard), Jordan Doherty (Sheffield Utd), Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Coventry (West Ham Utd), Brandon Kavanagh (Bohemians), Rowan Roache (Blackpool), Richie O'Farrell (St Patrick's Athletic), Marcus Rowley (Malaga), Adam Idah (Corinthians Boys), Luke Nolan (St Patrick's Athletic), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Aaron Connolly (Brighton), Daryl Walsh (Waterford), Tyriek Wright (Lakewood FC), Ronan Manning (Galway Utd)
FIXTURES
Thursday 9th February - Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Oliva, Spain (2pm Irish)
Saturday 11th February - Republic of Ireland v Romania, Oliva, Spain (12pm Irish)
UNDER-15 FOCUS
Ireland U15s draw with Netherlands in friendly
Aaron Davis from Ratoath Harps featured for the the Republic of Ireland u-15 side on Thursday when they bounced back from their disappointing loss to the Netherlands on Tuesday by drawing 1-1 with the Dutch in the second friendly of their double-header at DVS’33 Ermelo
Man Utd youngster Ayodeji Sotona put the Irish in front early on and although the Dutch hit a fortunate equaliser, Irish coach Jason Donohue was pleased with the overall display his young side produced.
Aaron Davis made a decent save to keep out a Dutch header in the 15th minute before the Netherlands levelled in the 17th minute with a fortunate effort that saw a right wing cross end up in the Irish net via the opposite upright.
Davis also made a decent save in a one on one in the 70th minute then the home side had a player sent off for a foul on Ireland substitute Festy Ebosele with nine minutes left.
Republic of Ireland - Aaron Davis (Ratoath Harps), Seamus Keogh (Benbulben Celtic), Cian Kelly (St Joseph's Boys), Sean McEvoy (St Kevin's Boys), Jack Funge (St Kevin's Boys), Cian Leavy (St Francis), Joseph Hodge (Manchester City), Sean Kennedy (Tralee Dynamos), Brandon Holt (Belvedere), Troy Parrott (Belvedere), Ayodeji Sotona (Man Utd). Subs - Conor Carty (St Francis) for Leavy, Matthew Healy (Corinthian Boys) for Sotana, Festy Ebosele (Villa FC) for Kennedy, Timi Sobowale (Villa FC) for McEvoy, James Furlong (St Joseph's Boys), Harry Halwax (St Joseph's Boys), Armstrong Okoflex (Arsenal)
RESULTS
Tuesday 31st January - Netherlands 5, Republic of Ireland 1
Thursday 2nd February - Netherlands 1, Republic of Ireland 1.
UNDER-19 FOCUS
U-19 Head Coach Tom Mohan has named his squad for an invitational tournament in La Manga next week.
The Irish will face Norway, Portugal and Slovakia in preparation for the UEFA u-19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round in March.
FIXTURES
La Manga Invitational Tournament (all 12pm Irish Time)
Friday 10th February - Republic of Ireland v Norway, La Manga Club, Murcia.
Sunday 12th February - Republic of Ireland v Portugal, La Manga.
Tuesday 14th February - Republic of Ireland v Slovakia, La Manga.