Seven League of Ireland players in Ireland under-17 squad for Euros in Croatia

Republic of Ireland under-17 manager Colin O'Brien has unveiled his 18-man squad for the European Championships in Croatia next month.

Ireland have been drawn in Group C of the 16-team tournament alongside 2009 winners Germany, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

O'Brien's side topped their elite qualifying round group with three wins from three over hosts Cyprus, Slovakia and the Faroe Islands and no goals conceded.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Aaron Connolly was Ireland's star player in Cyprus as he scored four times across the three games, and he's included in the squad.

There's no place for Liverpool's Glen McAuley, who scored the winner in the decisive game with Slovakia, as he has to withdraw for personal reasons, while West Ham's Conor Coventry is injured.

There are seven League of Ireland players in the final squad, including Aaron Bolger of Shamrock Rovers and Brandon Kavanagh of Bohemians, both of whom have already seen senior game time.

Brian Maher of St Patrick's Athletic and Bohs' Kian Clarke are the keepers, while Darryl Walsh of Waterfford, and Pats pair Richard O'Farrell and Luke Nolan also make the cut.

Ireland look particularly strong up front in spite of McAuley's abence with Corinthians Boys' Adam Idah joining Wolverhampton Wanderers' Callum Thompson and Rowan Roache of Blackpool.

The campaign opens on Thursday, May 4^th against Serbia, continues of Sunday the 7^th against Bosnia and the final group game against Germany will be live on Eurosport on Wednesdat the 10^th.

“Everybody is ready to go,” O'Brien told the FAI's official website on the announcement of the squad.

“The squad has been named and obviously we had a few tough decisions to make - that’s the nature of the international game. We’ve had over 20 players that have contributed this year in the campaign.

“We’ve had two pull out from the original squad. Glen McAuley from Liverpool has withdrawn for his own personal reasons and Conor Coventry from West Ham United has a broken toe, so that will force him out of the campaign."

Republic of Ireland Under 17 Squad - UEFA European Under 17 Championship:

Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (St Patrick’s Athletic), Kian Clarke (Bohemians)

Defenders: Lee O’Connor (Manchester United), Kameron Ledwidge (St Kevin’s Boys), Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Jordan Doherty (Sheffield United), Darryl Walsh (Waterford FC), Joe Redmond (Birmingham City)

Midfielders: Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Luke Nolan (St Patrick’s Athletic), Brandon Kavanagh (Bohemians), Richard O’Farrell (St Patrick’s Athletic), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Tyreik Wright (Lakewood AFC)

Forwards: Callum Thompson (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rowan Roache (Blackpool), Adam Idah (Corinthian Boys), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Fixtures

Thursday, 4 May: Republic of Ireland v Serbia, Stadium Rujevica, Rijeka, KO 15:30

Sunday 7 May: Republic of Ireland v Bosnia & Herzegovina, Stadium Kostena, KO 15:30

Wednesday, 10 May: Republic of Ireland v Germany, Stadium Rujevica, Rijeka, KO 11:00, LIVE on Eurosport 1