Republic of Ireland Under-19 Head Coach Tom Mohan revealed that players connected with SSE Airtricity League clubs are judged on the same level as those based abroad when it comes to international call-ups. Mohan believes credit should go to the Lea
Republic of Ireland Under-19 Head Coach Tom Mohan revealed that players connected with SSE Airtricity League clubs are judged on the same level as those based abroad when it comes to international call-ups.
Mohan believes credit should go to the League, with the underage tiers - U13, U15, U17, U19 - proving to be a worthwhile avenue for home-based players to follow with more youngsters breaking into first-team squads.
"The SSE Airtricity League has played an important role for many of the players," stated Mohan, whose team are preparing for the UEFA European Under-19 Championships with four SSE Airtricity League players included.
"Andy Lyons won the Under-19 double with Bohemians, Ali Regbha came through at the same club after initially standing out for Shelbourne, Brian Maher has played regularly for St Patrick's Athletic's Under-17s & Under-19s, and both Brandon Kavanagh and Niall Morahan were promoted to the Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers first-teams on the back of excelling in the underage tiers.
"The elevation of these players is proof that the League is moving in the right direction. And it is a massive endorsement of the work being done in the League that seeing a home-based player involved in an Ireland squad is no longer a huge surprise - they are there on merit."
Republic of Ireland Under-19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (St Patrick's Athletic), George McMahon (Burnley)
Defenders: Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Mark McGuinness (Arsenal), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Jack James (Unattached), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Ciaran Brennan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Midfielders: Joe Hodge (Manchester City), Lee O'Connor (Manchester United), Barry Coffey (Celtic), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday)
Forwards: Jonathan Afolabi (Unattached), Ali Reghba (Leicester City), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa), Matt Everitt (Brighton & Hove Albion), Festy Ebosele (Derby County)
UEFA European Under-19 Championship - Group B
Monday, 15 July: Republic of Ireland v Norway, Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, KO 15:45 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2
Thursday, 18 July: Republic of Ireland v France, Banats Stadium, Yerevan, KO 18:00 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2
Sunday, 21 July: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, KO 18:00 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2
