Curtis and Ferguson selected for Republic of Ireland
Navan's Ben Curtis and Bettystown's Evan Ferguson have both been selected on the Republic of Ireland u-15 squad for next month's double-header away to Poland.
Both players now play for Bohemians/St Kevin's Boys with Curtis an accomplished midfielder, while Ferguson is regarded as a forward of considerable kenown.
Republic of Ireland under-15 Head Coach Jason Donohue has selected an 18-man squad for the two International friendlies away to Poland and the players will meet this weekend for a three-day training camp in Co Meath.
More than half of the squad is made up of players from SSE Airtricity Under-15 National League sides, and Donohue is looking forward to the training camp with a new batch of players.
"After a very extensive player identification process we selected a very balanced squad of 18. This is their first taste of international football and the demands attached," Donohue revealed.
"It’s very early in the season and we operate a revolving door policy as players are developing at different rates.
"Last year, 30 players got an opportunity to test themselves against opposition so it’s a great incentive for players who missed out this time to work hard again and take the next opportunity when presented to them.
"There was some very tight calls as quality of play in the assessment games was very high. We must note the good work done at the players' clubs", concluded Donohue.
Republic of Ireland squad: Goalkeepers - Aaron Mannix (Douglas Hall), Lee Morris (Malahide United); Defenders - Tom Fogarty (Birmingham City), Craig King (Cherry Orchard), Aaron O'Reilly (St Patrick's Athletic), Darragh Reilly (Sligo Rovers), John Ryan (Shamrock Rovers); Midfielders - Ben Curtis (Bohemians/St. Kevin's Boys), Luke McGlynn (Finn Harps), Jamie Mullins (Bohemians/St Kevin's Boys), Glory Nzinga (Cherry Orchard), John Joe Power (Burton Albion); Forwards - Conor Campbell (Finn Harps), Evan Ferguson (Bohemians/S. Kevin's Boys), Sean Fitzpatrick (Wexford FC), Cian Kelly (Bohemians/St Kevin's Boys), Michael Leddy (Shamrock Rovers), Ben Quinn (Cherry Orchard).
Fixtures (all times local)
Tuesday 20th November - Poland v Republic of Ireland, Kolobrzeg, 6pm.
Thursday 22nd November - Poland v Republic of Ireland, Ploty, 11am.