Under-17 Squad

[samhaydenjr]

Ryan Cassidy got a brace for Watford U18s yesterday, bringing his tally to 14 in 13 league games: https://twitter.com/SJ_Cassidy/status/957231709115777025

[samhaydenjr]

A goal, an assist and a successful shoot-out penalty for Adam Idah as Norwich U18s exited the U18 Premier League Cup at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday: https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/under-18/2018-Jan-27/under-18-norwich-city-u18-match-report

[liamoo11]

A goal, an assist and a successful shoot-out penalty for Adam Idah as Norwich U18s exited the U18 Premier League Cup at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday: https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/under-18/2018-Jan-27/under-18-norwich-city-u18-match-report

Great to see mceneff back from injury he will be big addition to our 17 s for the qualifiers

[samhaydenjr]

Great to see mceneff back from injury he will be big addition to our 17 s for the qualifiers

Got an assist tonight against West Ham but the big news from our point of view is that Armstrong Okoflex got a goal and assist https://www.premierleague.com/match/23308/u18-premier-league/2017-18/west-ham-v-arsenal What was it Liam Brady was saying a while back about no Irish players in the Arsenal academy?

Meanwhile, Rowan Roache kept his scoring record going with a deflected free kick for Blackpool U18s against Ipswich in the FA Youth Cup: https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/youth-team-reach-fa-youth-cup-quarter-finals/

[liamoo11]

Ryan Cassidy got a brace for Watford U18s yesterday, bringing his tally to 14 in 13 league games: https://twitter.com/SJ_Cassidy/status/957231709115777025

Got a first run out with warlord 23s yesterday

[CraftyToePoke]

warlord u23s

Brilliant.

[samhaydenjr]

Got a first run out with warlord 23s yesterday

Connolly, Afolabi, Obafemi, Idah, Roache and now Cassidy...all strikers who still qualify for Under-18s...all have played U23 and/or First Team football this season

[samhaydenjr]

Connolly, Afolabi, Obafemi, Idah, Roache and now Cassidy...all strikers who still qualify for Under-18s...all have played U23 and/or First Team football this season

And we can now add McAuley to that list - not only that, he got Liverpool's goal as they lost 2-1 to Stoke - https://www.premierleague.com/match/23310/u18-premier-league/2017-18/liverpool-v-stoke

[tetsujin1979]

And we can now add McAuley to that list - not only that, he got Liverpool's goal as they lost 2-1 to Stoke - https://www.premierleague.com/match/23310/u18-premier-league/2017-18/liverpool-v-stoke

U18 league isn't it?

[samhaydenjr]

U18 league isn't it?

Aw, dammit! Sorry, got that one completely wrong - well, at least he's still scoring

[tetsujin1979]

Just noticed that (under the lineups tab) McAuley's nationality is listed as English! Kelleher was in goals for Liverpool as well.

[samhaydenjr]

Just noticed that (under the lineups tab) McAuley's nationality is listed as English! Kelleher was in goals for Liverpool as well.

Oh no! They're trying to turn his head! It's only three and a half more years before he qualifies for England based on residency! Cap him, MON, cap him now!

For some reason that Premier League site is quite sloppy when it comes to flags for Irish players, and not just English-born or raised Irish underage internationals, but also lads who spent their entire lives in Ireland before moving to an English club a few months ago. Well if our Magnificent Seven of young strikers (Connolly, Afolabi, Obafemi, Idah, Roache, McAuley and Cassidy - more if you add in Hale, Parrott and Okoflex) keep progressing at their current rate, we might not be able to accommodate them all so a couple might have to switch their allegiance just to have an international career!

[liamoo11]

Just noticed that (under the lineups tab) McAuley's nationality is listed as English! Kelleher was in goals for Liverpool as well.

yeah that's poor. Murphy Jennings and Collins on the stoke side are ours but no sign of a tricolour!

[liamoo11]

And we can now add McAuley to that list - not only that, he got Liverpool's goal as they lost 2-1 to Stoke - https://www.premierleague.com/match/23310/u18-premier-league/2017-18/liverpool-v-stoke

nice to see mccauley play a full game he hasn't done that very often all season seems to have ongoing injury issues this season . Quality finisher hope fully he is back in Irish fold soon

[liamoo11]

http://www.punditarena.com/football/sokeefe/irish-prospect-preston-squad/ he would b the first of this seasons 17s to make the bench for first team. Hopefully he does

[liamoo11]

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u17-ireland-primed-for-turkish-test. Squad for 17s friendlies. No new players. No cassidy, no Southampton lads or mceneff who coming back from injury last few weeks or that Preston lad . The Wright lad at villa hasn't played for their 18s yet maybe international clearance? Parrott hasn't played for Spurs yet at under 18s and is obviously still under 16 this year. Thought okoflex might have been in excellent for the 16 s before Christmas and a few 18 s appearances for arsenal.

[samhaydenjr]

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u17-all-square-in-galway-thanks-to-parrot%E2%80%99s-late-stunner - cracking 30-yard free kick from Troy Parrot salvaged a 1-1 draw against Turkey. Shockingly, Adam Idah didn't score...what's happened? Has the real Adam Idah been replaced with an imposter? Have I fallen into a parallel universe where Adam Idah doesn't score every time he plays for Ireland U17s?

[DeLorean]

I'd read about the free kick last night but couldn't find any video. The keeper was brutal for it.

[liamoo11]

I'd read about the free kick last night but couldn't find any video. The keeper was brutal for it.


it was some strike that's a long way out with no angle straight through the laces sweet technique. keeper started a step too far to his right but it would have taken a strong hand to knock that over the bar.

[DeLorean]

If he had positioned himself correctly he could have strolled over an caught it. Miles out, well struck but not that powerful, not even into the corner and not very high. He seemed to dive too early even allowing for the poor positioning. The only break I'll give him is that he probably hasn't even finished growing yet. :)

[Kingdom]

I only saw a very bad video, but the technique to me did not look like laces through the ball, but the instep style with little backlift similar to Juninho Pernamibucao (of lyon fame) or Robert Pires

[samhaydenjr]

Defender Oisin McEntee scored for Newcastle U18s against Blackburn: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23337/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

[samhaydenjr]

After the couple of hat-tricks earlier in the competition by Idah and Obafemi, Irish interest in the FA Youth cup has diminished as it reaches the semi-final stage. However, Rowan Roache got the injury-time winner from the spot as well as an assist on Blackpool's opening goal as they knocked out Blackburn - https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/march/youth-team-through-to-fa-youth-cup-semi-finals/. Meanwhile, Dublin-born defender Joe Redmond is part of the Birmingham team that just knocked Norwich out at the quarter-final stage - https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/report-norwich-city-under-18s-1-blues-under-18s-3/

[liamoo11]

After the couple of hat-tricks earlier in the competition by Idah and Obafemi, Irish interest in the FA Youth cup has diminished as it reaches the semi-final stage. However, Rowan Roache got the injury-time winner from the spot as well as an assist on Blackpool's opening goal as they knocked out Blackburn - https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/march/youth-team-through-to-fa-youth-cup-semi-finals/. Meanwhile, Dublin-born defender Joe Redmond is part of the Birmingham team that just knocked Norwich out at the quarter-final stage - https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/report-norwich-city-under-18s-1-blues-under-18s-3/

Burke at Birmingham is one of ours as well. Boyd munce at Birmingham might be one that Michael o Neill would like us to ask to come over!

[Olé Olé]

Burke at Birmingham is one of ours as well. Boyd munce at Birmingham might be one that Michael o Neill would like us to ask to come over!

That NI under 19 squad is littered with lads with Irish first names https://twitter.com/NorthernIreland/status/913433179545116673?s=20

There's a Cormac, a Declan and an Eoin.

[seanfhear]

That NI under 19 squad is littered with lads with Irish first names https://twitter.com/NorthernIreland/status/913433179545116673?s=20

There's a Cormac, a Declan and an Eoin.Has Michael O’ Neill checked everyones religion ? He has got interested in religion in an unnecessary way recently .

[Olé Olé]

Has Michael O’ Neill checked everyones religion ? He has got interested in religion in an unnecessary way recently .

No, he's too busy pulling together baptism records for each of the NI underage players.

[samhaydenjr]

Burke at Birmingham is one of ours as well. Boyd munce at Birmingham might be one that Michael o Neill would like us to ask to come over!

Yeah, I saw Burke on the Birmingham site and thought he might be, but his profile didn't mention it, so thanks for clarifying that

[samhaydenjr]

Ryan Cassidy back in Watford's U18s and on the scoresheet on Saturday: https://twitter.com/casso_9/status/972498128824881152

Meanwhile James Jennings scored for Stoke U18s in a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23269/u18-premier-league/2017-18/newcastle-v-stoke

[liamoo11]

okoflex is in brits under 16 squad for montagiu tournament. With us hosting the under 17 euro finals next year would he really play for England in the city he grew up in?

[samhaydenjr]

okoflex is in brits under 16 squad for montagiu tournament. With us hosting the under 17 euro finals next year would he really play for England in the city he grew up in?

Parrott, Okoflex, Cassidy - that would be quite the forward line at this level from what we've heard about them (I think they'd all still be eligible). Incidentally Troy Parrott made his U18 debut for Spurs in a scoreless draw with Swansea todays: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/under-18s/match/report/spurs-u18s-v-swansea-report-140318/

[liamoo11]

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u17-squad-announced-for-uefa-elite-round .the elite qualifying squad named . Nice to see mcenneff who we kidnapped and tortured until he abandoned Michael o Neill back from injury. Looks strong. No Cassidy who I think is on this age group. Wright at Villa has not played for there 18 s yet which must be an international clearance issue.

[CraftyToePoke]

Ryan Cassidy, 17, signs pro at Watford, deal till 2020 following his superb form and goals return whatever age group they have played him in so far right up to u23.
Good lad.

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/16090319.ryan-cassidy-watford-youngster-signs-first-professional-contract/

[samhaydenjr]

Two of our U17 strikers came up against each other, with Jordan McEneff's Arsenal thumping Adam Idah's Norwich 4-0. McEneff got Arsenal's last goal: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23364/u18-premier-league/2017-18/norwich-v-arsenal

[samhaydenjr]

Ryan Cassidy, 17, signs pro at Watford, deal till 2020 following his superb form and goals return whatever age group they have played him in so far right up to u23.
Good lad.

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/16090319.ryan-cassidy-watford-youngster-signs-first-professional-contract/

Yet another for Cassidy today, which makes it 16 for the U18s and 5 for the U23s this season (and he only went to England last summer!): https://twitter.com/casso_9/status/974992240086081537

[liamoo11]

Yet another for Cassidy today, which makes it 16 for the U18s and 5 for the U23s this season (and he only went to England last summer!): https://twitter.com/casso_9/status/974992240086081537

Must be unlucky not to be in the 17s squad

[samhaydenjr]

Must be unlucky not to be in the 17s squad

True, he is one of the questionable omissions, given his terrific form - in general, though, it does seem to be a sign of a welcome dilemma that we seem to be experiencing up front - how do we accommodate all the young strikers coming through? The U17 forward line includes the current top-scorer in the qualifiers (Idah) and two highly-rated youngsters who have just started to make their mark for the U18s at Spurs (Parrott) and Arsenal (McEneff); Meanwhile our U19s have two club team-mates who have played U23 level, one of whom has tasted Premier League action (Obafemi and Afolabi), another who has featured in League Cup action for a Prem club (Connolly) so another striker who has made his first-team bow and is in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals is being listed as a midfielder (Roache). So Cassidy, McAuley and perhaps OkoFlex miss out, although efforts should be made to include Cassidy and McAuley, given their outstanding run of goalscoring form.

[tetsujin1979]

Is McAuley's refusal to play in the u17 championships a factor?

[liamoo11]

Is McAuley's refusal to play in the u17 championships a factor?

ah yeah I think so. he has not been picked for an under 18 or 19 squad since. He was a starter or at least very involved for the current under 19s when they were at under 17 level playing a year above his age. he hasn't had a great season at Liverpool one sub appearance at 23s and tiny sub appearances at under 19 champs league while others younger than him in that Liverpool youth team have become regulars at under 23. He also has rarely played more than 70 minutes of under 18 games even this weekend taken off before the hour mark by Gerard for the 18s. I wonder does he have a niggling injury that they have been trying to manage.

[Bungle]

ah yeah I think so. he has not been picked for an under 18 or 19 squad since. He was a starter or at least very involved for the current under 19s when they were at under 17 level playing a year above his age. he hasn't had a great season at Liverpool one sub appearance at 23s and tiny sub appearances at under 19 champs league while others younger than him in that Liverpool youth team have become regulars at under 23. He also has rarely played more than 70 minutes of under 18 games even this weekend taken off before the hour mark by Gerard for the 18s. I wonder does he have a niggling injury that they have been trying to manage.

I heard some interview with Steve Gerrard where he mentioned McCauley has had a lot of niggles this season. Still an impressive season goals wise but possibly not kicked on as a result. Very disappointing if he hasn't got the commitment to play for Ireland.

That Kelleher looks a brilliant talent and obviously Masterson is well liked there also. We really have a great batch at the moment on some of the underage teams. O'connor at United is considered outstanding by youth coaches there. Idah,cassidy,doyle hayes all really terrific and troy parrott is arguably the best schoolboy i've seen since mcphaill.

A lot of them won't make it but really good position for us to be in. One thing,the english international underage teams are outstanding and it's possible they are inadvertently dragging us up,as you become a better player by playing alongside very high standard players. The likes of McCauley would have been playing for long periods in the uk from a very young age.

[liamoo11]

I heard some interview with Steve Gerrard where he mentioned McCauley has had a lot of niggles this season. Still an impressive season goals wise but possibly not kicked on as a result. Very disappointing if he hasn't got the commitment to play for Ireland.

That Kelleher looks a brilliant talent and obviously Masterson is well liked there also. We really have a great batch at the moment on some of the underage teams. O'connor at United is considered outstanding by youth coaches there. Idah,cassidy,doyle hayes all really terrific and troy parrott is arguably the best schoolboy i've seen since mcphaill.

A lot of them won't make it but really good position for us to be in. One thing,the english international underage teams are outstanding and it's possible they are inadvertently dragging us up,as you become a better player by playing alongside very high standard players. The likes of McCauley would have been playing for long periods in the uk from a very young age.

oh Stephen mcphail what a player he was underage. Problem for kelleher is the polish keeper at Liverpool who is few months younger is ahead of him in The pecking order first choice at that under 19 level just shows how competitive academy football is. Would be great if kelleher got season loan to league of Ireland club where he would play dundalk always looks to me to be lacking a quality keeper. Master's also needs a loan won't make a breakthrough at Liverpool unfortunately but still think he will be quality player for us

[Olé Olé]

https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watford-coach-really-pleased-youngsters-1376662

Pro contract for Ryan Cassidy already. You can understand their logic in tying him down when he's banging them in at a rate of knots.

[CraftyToePoke]

Look nine posts up man :)

[Olé Olé]

Oops!

[samhaydenjr]

A few scorers at U18 level today:

First up, Troy Parrott is off the mark! Grabbed the winner against Fulham U18s: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23376/u18-premier-league/2017-18/fulham-v-spurs

Adam Idah back on the scoring trail, nabbing Norwich's first in a 3-2 defeat to Swansea. Marc Walsh got an assist for Swansea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23381/u18-premier-league/2017-18/swansea-v-norwich

Callum Thompson got Wolves' second against Newcastle: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23379/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

Conor Tee scored for Leicester against an Arsenal side that included Armstrong Okoflex: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23371/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

[samhaydenjr]

...and the goals keep pouring in for Adam Idah - hat-trick as Norwich beat Tottenham 5-3. That'll teach Spurs for dropping Troy Parrott just after he scored his first goal (admittedly, Reo Griffiths also got a hat-trick for them): https://www.premierleague.com/match/23292/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

[liamoo11]

...and the goals keep pouring in for Adam Idah - hat-trick as Norwich beat Tottenham 5-3. That'll teach Spurs for dropping Troy Parrott just after he scored his first goal (admittedly, Reo Griffiths also got a hat-trick for them): https://www.premierleague.com/match/23292/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

parrots and canaries don't mix well!

[tetsujin1979]

Ryan Cassidy: Troy Deeney backs Watford starlet for successful career but warns of pitfalls: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/16154951.Deeney_backs_Cassidy_to_go_far_if_he_avoi ds_modern_distractions/

[samhaydenjr]

U18 season appears to be winding down but there were a couple of goals scored by Irish Underage internationals:

Jonathan Afolabi scored for Southampton in a 3-2 victory at Swansea, while playing alongside Michael Obafemi. Will Smallbone also featured: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23344/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

Robert Dunne got a goal and an assist as Sunderland beat West Brom, also 3-2:https://www.premierleague.com/match/23367/u18-premier-league/2017-18/tbc-v-tbc

[Stuttgart88]

This Afolabi / Obafemi thing is going to ruin my brain