Five League of Ireland players selected for Ireland under-17s pre-European Championship friendlies

Republic of Ireland under-17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien has included five League of Ireland players in his squad for international friendlies k in Spain against Poland and Belgium next week.

Bohemians’ Thomas Considine, James Furlong and Toby Owens of Shamrock Rovers, Brandon Holt from St Patrick’s Athletic and Derry City’s Ronan McKinley have all been selected to travel to Spain.

Highly touted goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who just completed his move from Shamrock Rovers to Manchester City, as confirmed by the Dublin club today, is also in the squad.

The matches are part of his side’s preparations ahead of the UEFA Under-17 European Championship which takes place in Ireland this May.

Poland and Belgium are both getting ready for their upcoming Elite Round qualifiers next month, while Ireland have already qualified as hosts.

“The games will be very competitive,” O’Brien told the FAI’s website.

“I've no doubt that both sides are aiming to be in Ireland in May. That's the calibre of opposition we are looking for. It gives us more preparation time with the players.

“We want to look at players throughout the season. There are some new players in the squad and they have a chance to show us what they can do.

“They are players unlucky not to make the squad and they are still in consideration for May.”

The team will take on Poland on Wednesday 13 February at Stadium Municipal in Marbella (kick-off 2:30 Irish time).



They’ll finish the camp with a game against Belgium at the Dama de Noche Football Centre on Friday 15 February (kick-off 2:30 Irish time).

Republic of Ireland under-17 squad:

Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Conor Carty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Thomas Considine (Bohemians), Jimmy Corcoran (Preston North End), Matt Everitt (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (Real Betis), Joshua Giurgi (Norwich City), Harry Halwax (Derby County), Joe Hodge (Manchester City), Brandon Holt (St. Patrick's Athletic), Roland Idowu (Southmapton), Sean Kennedy (Sunderland), Seamas Keogh (Southampton), Sean McEvoy (Ballinamallard United), Ronan McKinley (Derry City), Andrew Omibamidele (Norwich City), Toby Owens (Shamrock Rovers), Timi Sobowale (Manchester City), Luke Turner (Aberdeen)