Ireland MU15 heads to Udine with ambitions for back-to-back tournament wins

The Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-15 team will travel to Italy this week to compete in the Torneo Delle Nazioni held in Udine.

The squad, comprising 20 players—19 of whom are from the EA SPORTS LOI Academy—aims to defend their title at this prestigious youth football tournament.

Ireland's campaign kicks off against the UAE on Thursday, followed by a match against North Macedonia on Saturday. The outcomes of these games will determine their progression to either the semi-finals or a play-off match.

Last year Ireland clinched the tournament by defeating hosts Italy 2-1 with goals from Billy Hayes and Michael Noonan and the team is optimistic about their chances this year.

The squad list for the tournament is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Darragh Brunton (St. Patrick’s Athletic), George Moloney (Southampton).

Defenders: Danny Burke (Shamrock Rovers), Ben Dumigan (Cork City), Ike Manjor (Treaty United), Tadhg Prizeman, Alan Sattell (all Shamrock Rovers), Sean Spaight (Dundalk)

Midfielders: Joe Byrne, Jason Spelman, Niall Sullivan, Kian Quigley (all St. Patrick’s Athletic), Brody Collins, Richard Ferizaj, Joel McPhail (all Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Desmond Armstrong, Victor Ozihianvuna (both Shamrock Rovers), David Dunne (Cork City), TJ Molloy (Dundalk), Samuel Ogungbe (St. Patrick’s Athletic).

The tournament schedule for Ireland is as follows:

Thursday, April 25: UAE vs Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Rivignano, Udine, KO at 5 pm Irish time.

Saturday, April 27: Ireland vs North Macedonia, Torviscosa, Udine, KO at 5 pm Irish time.