Two Shamrock Rovers players in Ireland under-17 squad for Euro qualifiers

Shamrock Rovers duo Kian Clarke and James Furlong have been named in the Ireland under-17 squad for their European Championship elite round qualifying group later this month.

Colin O'Brien's side will face hosts Poland, Macedonia and Georgia over the course of a week beginning on Wednesday, March 21^st against the Macedonians.

Group winners will automatically earn passage to the finals in England in May, while the seven best runners-up will also join the hosts in the final draw.

The squad includes five players – Norwich City striker Adam Idah among them – from the side that reached the last eight of last year's championships in Croatia.

Arsenal striker Jordan McEneff, brother of Derry City's Aaron, and Stoke City defender Nathan Collins, brother of UCD's Josh, are also named in the 20-strong squad.

"We’ve had a productive few months since the Qualifying Round in Bulgaria, including two friendlies against Turkey,” O'Brien told the FAI website.

“I feel this is the best 20 players we have to try and qualify, in Poland.

“My experience of youth football is that any country could have a very good team at any given time. You cannot underestimate any team.

“We already played Macedonia this season in two friendlies and are very difficult to beat. Georgia recently defeated Belgium, and Poland will prove very difficult on home soil."

Republic of Ireland U17 squad

Goalkeepers: Kian Clarke (Shamrock Rovers), Jimmy Corcoran (Cherry Orchard).

Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Max Murphy (Stoke City), Ray O’Sullivan (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Midfielders: Sean Brennan (Southampton), Barry Coffey (Celtic), Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday), Jason Knight (Derby County) Adam O’Reilly (Preston North End), Callum Thompson (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marc Walsh (Swansea City).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Nowrich City), Jordan McEneff (Arsenal), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Tyriek Wright (Aston Villa.

Fixtures - UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round Group 3

March 21: Republic of Ireland v Macedonia, Stadion Chrobrego G?ogów, G?ogów, KO 17:30 (16:30 Irish Time)

March 24: Republic of Ireland v Georgia, Stadion Chrobrego G?ogów, G?ogów, KO 17:30 (16:30 Irish Time)

March 27: Poland v Republic of Ireland, Stadion Miejski, Legnica, KO 16:30 (15:30 Irish Time)