Osam names Ireland U16 squad for Hungary friendlies

THE Republic of Ireland U16 Head Coach Paul Osam has named his squad for two friendly internationals against Hungary in Galway and Ballinasloe next week.

Ballinasloe Town's Curragh Grounds will host a meeting between the sides on Tuesday evening (7.00pm) then Mervue United will host a second encounter on Thursday afternoon (12.00pm).

The Irish U16 side won the Victory Shield in November with wins over Wales, Northern Ireland and hosts Scotland and Osam is looking for similar performances from his squad next week.

"It's nice to be back together with the squad as outside of a friendly against Jason Donohue's U15s and a Christmas session we have not had much opportunity to work with the players since the Victory Shield," said Osam.

"We will be looking to continue on the work we've done with the players and what they did at U15 level last season in these two fixtures then turn the focus on the UEFA development tournament in May before we hand the squad over to the U17 Head Coach Colin O'Brien for next season.

"The work we're doing is about adding to the players knowledge of international football and it's also an opportunity for some players that we need to have a look at before they progress to the competitive games at U17 level.

"There's some very good players at this age level and some have already done gone up to u17s while the likes of Adam Idah, Sean Brennan and Callum Thompson were unavailable for these games through injury.

"The standards the players have reached already this season means that it's a big ask for anybody coming in to this squad but we've seen in the past that some players can be better suited to international level than club football and I'm sure they can adjust.

"We'd be hopeful we can get good results next week but we are more focused on getting the performances required at this level of the game and help with the development of the players." 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U17 SQUAD:

Harry Clarke (St Patrick's Athletic)

Kian Clarke (Bohemians)

Max Murphy (St Joseph's Boys)

Nathan Collins (Cherry Orchard)

Oisin McEntee (Malahide Utd)

Ray O'Sullivan (St Kevin's Boys)

Mark McGuinness (Arsenal)

Kameron Ledwidge (St Kevin's Boys)

Jason Knight (Cabinteely)

Jordan McEneff (Coleraine)

Jordan Carr (Athlone Town)

Marc Walsh (Finn Harps)

Adam O'Reilly (Ringmahon Rangers)

Barry Coffey (Nenagh AFC)

Jack Nolan (Reading)

Ciaran Brennan (Waterford FC)

Ryan Cassidy (St Kevin's Boys)

Tyreik Wright (Lakewood AFC)

FIXTURES

U16 International Friendlies

Tuesday, February 21, 2017  

Republic of Ireland v Hungary, The Curragh Grounds, Ballinasloe (7.00pm)

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Fahy’s Field, Mervue, Galway (12.00pm)