Under-17 Squad

[gastric]

This Afolabi / Obafemi thing is going to ruin my brain

Get with the multicultural program!

[tetsujin1979]

This Afolabi / Obafemi thing is going to ruin my brain

if it helps, just remember - their names are spelt and pronounced differently ;)

[respectthegame]

This Afolabi / Obafemi thing is going to ruin my brain


Two different people with completely different names so not sure why it confuses you?

On another note no sign of Ledwidge / Brennan in the squad so I wound imagine they are with the Ireland u17 squad ? Colin is taking his time announcing the squad :waiting:

[Stuttgart88]

Only confusing because neither rolls off the tongue.

[DeLorean]

I think they're pretty similar tbh!

[liamoo11]

https://www.fotball.no/landslag/norge-gutter-16/2018/g16-disse-starter-mot-england/ hodge and okoflex played for brits 17s today. Obviously We are qualified as hosts so wont have competitive Games in october while brits will So likely both will be tied to brits but would have the ability to switch back later in their careers. Find It bizarre that okoflex lived here played for St kevins only moved at 11 and then left at 16 to go to celtic and still wants and Is eligible for england. He must have barely made the residency criteria. Thought He was excellent in victory shield last season for us

[DeLorean]

Goals from the 3-0 win over Turkey (http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u17-clinical-ireland-overcome-turkey-in-tallaght). Some run in the build up to the third goal!

The two sides meet again today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFHtDCGkvL4

[rebelmusic]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeDVHUcKmm4

[liamoo11]

Okoflex and Hodge are in brits latest friendly squad. The brits play us here in a friendly tournament in November that will be really sticking it to us when okoflex lines out for brits in his home city

[liamoo11]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/fixtures-confirmed-for-u17-international-tournament the fixtures for the friendly tournament in Dublin in a few weeks. This time last year okoflex was scoring and winning the victory shield with us now he will be lining out against us it's ballsy

[liamoo11]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u17-squad-named-for-international-tournament

squad for this week's games. very surprised to see Hodge in has played extensively for England. no okoflex . Cirkin who it seems was born in Ireland in brits squad. Not clear yet if okoflex is in England squad from checking this http://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/england-u-17-discussions-thread-3.1775615/page-264 which is always on the money he played and scored for Celtic reserves today. The two man Utd forwards sotona and odubeko never seem to be picked for our 17s

[TrapAPony]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u17-squad-named-for-international-tournament
The two man Utd forwards sotona and odubeko never seem to be picked for our 17s

Strange with those two indeed. Probably a mystery like how Ryan Nolan, despite captaining Inter Milan at youth level, never gets picked for any Irish squads.

[seanfhear]

Strange with those two indeed. Probably a mystery like how Ryan Nolan, despite captaining Inter Milan at youth level, never gets picked for any Irish squads.
Maybe he doesn’t like flying .

[liamoo11]

Maybe he doesn’t like flying .

that would be ironic isn't he from Shannon!

[nigel-harps1954]

Really disappointed not to see any of the double winning Finn Harps lads in the squad. They easily beat Shamrock Rovers 3-0 in the league final, yet Rovers have four players in the squad.

[Charlie Darwin]

Really disappointed not to see any of the double winning Finn Harps lads in the squad. They easily beat Shamrock Rovers 3-0 in the league final, yet Rovers have four players in the squad.
Thought that was strange myself. Is there logistical issues with lads with school, etc, travelling down? I thought the days of squads being Dublin + a couple of players from elsewhere were behind us.

[samhaydenjr]

Meant to mention it in the U23s thread - Goalkeeper Harry Halwax was on the bench for Derby U23s on Saturday - so with Bazunu and Corcoran, that's three very promising goalies in this squad

[Olé Olé]

Some.going alright. Both Halwax and Josh Giurgi are from Leixlip United also.

[nigel-harps1954]

Thought that was strange myself. Is there logistical issues with lads with school, etc, travelling down? I thought the days of squads being Dublin + a couple of players from elsewhere were behind us.

No idea. Only two of the squad were invited to an assessment day in Dublin recently. There's some seriously high quality players in the squad too. Don't think Colin O'Brien was at either the league final or the Mark Farren Cup final.

[SolitudeRed]

There was an article today in the Irish News about Betis youngster Anselmo Garcia MacNulty who has joined up with the U17s. He was up in Belfast learning about Belfast Celtic and Patrick O'Connell the former Real Betis manager...
2734

[tetsujin1979]

Should be able to make the game in Tallaght tomorrow night, depending on work.

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland lost 3-1 to England in Tallaght earlier, despite England having a players sent off at the end of the first half. In truth, England deserved the win. They were organised in defence, and broke with pace in possession, and looked far more likely to score than Ireland. While the boys in green did play good football, passing across the park, moving into space, there was precious little created for the isolated striker Conor Carty in the first half.

In the second half, Sobowale was moved up front to play alongside Carty, but England parked the bus and restricted the space for Ireland players. They didn't seem to have a Plan B. Plan A was to keep possession in defence, try to move up the park, push the full back (esp the left full) into the England half, but ran out of ideas after reaching the half way line, facing a blanket England defence.

I was impressed with Holt and Everitt on the right in the first half. Ebosele impressed on the left in the second half. I was disappointed that only two substitutions were made, the second with only a minute remaining. The front players were clearly exhausted and needed to be replaced. Ebosele was shown a yellow card right before the end of the game after a mistimed tackle when he really should have been withdrawn beforehand.

The penalty Ireland did score was right in front of me
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[tetsujin1979]

Lost 3-2 to the Czech Republic yesterday, the winner coming in the ninth minute of injury time. Wasn't at the game, but some of the reports suggest it was similar to the England game
England drew 2-2 with Germany in UCD. The bowl isn't too far from where I live, and I had planned on going to that game, but I stayed in for the first leg of the Copa Libertafores final instead

Ireland's two goals were really good too!
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1061652829121732609

[samhaydenjr]

Okoflex and Hodge are in brits latest friendly squad. The brits play us here in a friendly tournament in November that will be really sticking it to us when okoflex lines out for brits in his home city

Hodge back in the squad for upcoming friendlies: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u17-squad-named-for-marbella-double-header

[Olé Olé]

Nice to see two lads with clubs from the 6 counties. McEvoy is playing first team for Ballinamallard, albeit in the second division up there.

[liamoo11]

Nice to see two lads with clubs from the 6 counties. McEvoy is playing first team for Ballinamallard, albeit in the second division up there.

Always great to see the northern lads come in. Hodge wasn't in English squad for their games last week nor was okoflex. England have their qualifiers in a few weeks to that should tell us if Hodge and okoflex are commmited for this season

[liamoo11]

Mipo odubeko frontman who was offered a contract at man utd has according to redcafe has turned it down and may move abroad http://www.redcafe.net/threads/miscellaneous-reserve-youth-news.367211/page-101

[Olé Olé]

Would Odubeko not have been a shoo in for the 17s squad? Is there any reason that he hasn't been as heavily involved as he could have been? Was he born in Ireland or elsewhere?

[Charlie Darwin]

Would Odubeko not have been a shoo in for the 17s squad? Is there any reason that he hasn't been as heavily involved as he could have been? Was he born in Ireland or elsewhere?
He was born in Ireland, from Tallaght.

[SkStu]

Mipo odubeko frontman who was offered a contract at man utd has according to redcafe has turned it down and may move abroad http://www.redcafe.net/threads/miscellaneous-reserve-youth-news.367211/page-101

https://m.independent.ie/ca/sport/soccer/freescoring-irish-youngster-rejects-manchester-united-contract-offer-as-he-leaves-old-trafford-38307870.html?__twitter_impression=true


Republic of Ireland under-17 international striker Mipo Odubeko has rejected a new contract offer at Manchester United and will leave the club.

Odubeko made a huge impression last season as he fired 35 goals for United's academy and he was being tipped to make a breakthrough in the club's first team over the next couple of years, amid suggestions that he feels he has a better chance to enhance his career away from Old Trafford.

Mail Online are reporting that Feyenoord, Bayern Munich and Genoa are among the club's chasing Odubeko's signature, with the youngster who signed for United after a spell at Manchester City came to an end.

Sounds like one for the future for sure. Newcastle and Burnley also keen.

[liamoo11]

https://m.independent.ie/ca/sport/soccer/freescoring-irish-youngster-rejects-manchester-united-contract-offer-as-he-leaves-old-trafford-38307870.html?__twitter_impression=true



Sounds like one for the future for sure. Newcastle and Burnley also keen.

Takes balls to turn down a contract at utd in fairness . Very easy to take the 2 or 3 year contract and stay for the prestige of playing for man utd shows great attitude to move if you think your path to the first team is non existent

[Olé Olé]

The only thing is that Chong and Greenwood are being blooded there. We will see how strategic he is being about the first team route with his next move.

[samhaydenjr]

Seamus Keogh signs his first professional contract - a two-year deal at Southampton: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0717/1063644-ireland-under-17-captain-keogh-signs-southampton-deal/

[liamoo11]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55506/2019/999945937?tab=report .no sign of riley, Barry or o neill in this who were main stays in our victory shield side last season at 16s but are obviously dual nations

[tetsujin1979]

Riley and Barry are with the England u17 squad in Sweden at the moment

[samhaydenjr]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55506/2019/999945937?tab=report .no sign of riley, Barry or o neill in this who were main stays in our victory shield side last season at 16s but are obviously dual nations

Even without those lads, we still beat Russia 2-0... and nine of the thirteen who played are at LOI clubs... signs that Ruud Dokter's development system is bearing fruit?

[tetsujin1979]

Training camp announced for the U17s, ahead of the U17 Championship qualifiers in October, which Ireland are hosting: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/obrien-calls-in-20-players-for-u17-training-camp
Good to see Caden McLoughlin included as the only overseas player
Six players from Cork City, and interesting that Sam Curtis is listed as "unattached"

[CSAD]

Training camp announced for the U17s, ahead of the U17 Championship qualifiers in October, which Ireland are hosting: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/obrien-calls-in-20-players-for-u17-training-camp
Good to see Caden McLoughlin included as the only overseas player
Six players from Cork City, and interesting that Sam Curtis is listed as "unattached"

Sam Curtis is supposedly moving to St Pats, Ben just moved there recently also.

On a side note Aidomo Emahku had a story recently saying goodbye to Zefi which indicates his move to Inter will be confirmed shortly.

[tetsujin1979]

Was thinking it's probably easier for McLoughlin to fly here from Spain as long as he's been vaccinated, than for any of the UK-based players to get here, who will all need certs

[Olé Olé]

Just wanted to find out a little more about Caden McLoughlin and I came across the following article about his pro contract which includes a video: https://www.irishpost.com/sport/irish-teen-caden-mcloughlin-signs-professional-contract-with-villareal-210416

The video is really good. He speaks perfect English with a Dublin accent (when he says "looaaadsa goooaal" in particular). Speaks very well and seems an interesting and intelligent character.

This interview is really interesting too and a bit more recent, having been filmed in April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klDjlHAvZVI

Sounds as though he was born in England to an Irish mother and moved onto Spain but he goes home to Finglas for a month or two every year with his mother to their family there. Sounds like his Irish mother is the mainstay in his life - hence the surname - as he references a stepdad too. Another Irish mammy doing trojan work on the continent. Shout out to Ryan Johansson's mammy too.

[CSAD]

One thing that must be mentioned in regards to Sam Curtis is that he is quite a young 2005 player , born in December, so even though he is 16 this year due to when he will turn 16 he may not move until January if he is moving.

[tetsujin1979]

Squad named for two friendlies against Mexico this weekend in Cork: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u17-obrien-names-squad-for-mexico-friendlies

Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad
Goalkeepers: Fintan Doherty (Derry City), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Luke Browne (Shelbourne), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick's Athletic),Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Ruadhan Kane (Klub Kildare), Daniel Kelly (Sligo Rovers), Luke O'Brien (St. Patrick's Athletic)

Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Gavin Hodgins (Shelbourne), Darius Lipsivc (St. Patrick's Athletic), James McManus (Bohemians), Rocco Vata (Celtic)

Forwards: Trent Kone Doherty (Derry City), Mark O'Mahony (Cork City), Caden McLoughlin (Villareal), Liam Murray (Cork City), Alex Nolan (St Patrick's Athletic), Franco Umeh (Cork City), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)

[Olé Olé]

Aside from Zefi, young Vata and McLoughlin are the only two playing outside of Ireland. Both have interesting stories and are at famous clubs. Vata has been referenced in another thread as being Rudi's son and his mother a proud Irishwoman born in Glasgow. She was tweeting her delighted on the call up and fair play to Zefi, Vata and McLoughlin making the trip to Cork too which can't be easy at present for young lads: https://twitter.com/AnnFrancesMurr3/status/1432123172128804865?s=20

[elatedscum]

Only lads i know from the squad are Sam Curtis, Cathal Heffernan, Luke O'Brien Justin Ferizaj, Rocco Vatta, Caden McLoughlin, Alex Nolan and Kevin Zefi. Plenty of new faces to have a look at

Presumably Cork's Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh must be injured? Really looking forward to going to Lansdowne on Saturday and driving down to Cork on Sunday, first time visiting Turner's Cross...

[tetsujin1979]

The President of Albania, who's a massive Celtic fan, congratulated Vata on the call up!
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[liamoo11]

Only lads i know from the squad are Sam Curtis, Cathal Heffernan, Luke O'Brien Justin Ferizaj, Rocco Vatta, Caden McLoughlin, Alex Nolan and Kevin Zefi. Plenty of new faces to have a look at

Presumably Cork's Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh must be injured? Really looking forward to going to Lansdowne on Saturday and driving down to Cork on Sunday, first time visiting Turner's Cross...

Whitmarsh was on the end of a horror challenge in the underv18 game against Hungary a few weeks ago and went off injured. He looked a real talent as a 10 that day

[Exgrad]

This is the team that beat england 3-1 just before lockdown at u15 level right? I think the zefi goal from that game has done the round a fair bit since his move to Inter. Looks like there could be a couple of diamonds in this group.

[SkStu]

2-1 win v Mexico

They came from behind with goals from Cork City pair Franco Umeh and Mark O’Mahony

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[tetsujin1979]

Goals here
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[elatedscum]

Good game of ball. Two good teams. Bit of a strange game. First 15mins, both sides were very good and it was pretty even with both sides having chances. After that, Mexico were on top and totally dominant until half time, bar one nice counter attack involving Zefi, Vata and McLaughlin. After half-time, ireland were the better side until the last five mins.

Compared to the last U17 side I saw, there were less sure things but more lads with potential. Pretty much every lad who played had something about them, whereas there are generally a few lads who you know are never gonna get a cap beyond U17s or u18s. Given Covid I thought people might not have seen many of the players before:

GK Conor Walsh (Sligo) - The keeper made one excellent save at 2-1. Wasn’t at fault for the goal he conceded. Didn’t have to make many other saves. Only criticism was that with a minute or two left, Mexico got a corner and he came and misjudged and it went over his head. Lucky not to land to a mexican player and easily have cost a goal

RB Sam Curtis (St Pats) - really struggled in the first half and it looked like playing a level up was too much for him but had a much better second half and his improvement was really influential in us turning the game around.

CB Cathal Heffernan (Cork City) - captained the side. Didn’t have his best game, particularly in possession. Thought he was better in the first game against Hungary for the u18s a few weeks ago. Was also sold easily and skinned by Alexei Dominguez (more on him later) in the one time he came up against a pacey skilful player. Nonetheless won more than his share of headers, 50/50 balls and blocks and whenever we were under pressure the centre halves were solid.

CB Luke Browne (Shels) - the less visible of the two centre halves but a good solid game all the same.

LB - Luke O’Brien (Pats) - he carried the ball well when he got the opportunity and didn’t look like a bad footballer but... He was marking Mexico’s best player Alexei Dominguez. O’Brien kept tucking inside and there was always a ball to Dominguez. The kid was lightning quick, skilful and tiny and time and time again, we gave them the space to play a cross field ball to him. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t adapt and drop 2 or 3 yards closer, obviously it creates a small gap between him and the centre half but the kid was too quick and too technically gifted. They must have played him in 10 times during the game. He was the lad who scored the mexican goal and he could have scored 5 on another day. It felt as though O’Brien was following instructions and repetitions in training as to how they wanted the shape to work without realising how much it was hurting us. Very possibly though, if he was facing the other less talented mexican winger, it might have been a glowing review.

CM - Justin Ferizaj (Rovers) - had a cracking game. Dictated the play from deep when we were at our best and kept it moving. Had a habit of drawing countless fouls, just getting to the ball before his opponent, was lucky not to pick up an injury. Also tackled well. There was a touch of Joe Hodge and a touch of Conor Coventry in the performance. Got the assist for the first goal with a lovely cross.

CM - James McManus (Bohs) - struggled at times, few really awful passes straight out of touch. But he had a few real moments of quality and inspiration that made you see why he was there.

AM - Rocco Vatta (Celtic) - another player who you were wondering what the fuss was all about at half time but had a much better second half. Was involved with a counter attack mentioned above. Not sure who got the assist for the second but might have been him. Over the course of the game he did enough good things to make you feel hopeful.

WG - Kevin Zefi (Inter) - started the game on the right wing and switched to the left after 20 mins or so. he’s really not the finished article, much much less than I expected and at times there are terrible mistakes. He still very much feels like a kid playing the game unlike someone like Evan Ferguson. Saying that, there’s a touch of genius that’s undeniable and it’s how I’d imagine it was like to watch Duffer when he was 16 (or Richie Partridge). He had about 7 or 8 moments of stunning brilliance, the best being a moment where he somehow kept an overhit ball over his head in play by jumping and swinging his leg back and back heeling it on the volley straight to a teammate. He got the ball back and took it past 3 mexican lads before firing a really dangerous shot off. Meanwhile, there were 4 or 5 moments of calamity to go along with them, the most notable where he sprinted to get to a ball and with no one around tripped over the ball and himself. while on the floor seemed to berate the ref for not giving him a free.

WG - Frankie Umeh (Cork City) - a tale of two halves, was really anonymous in the first half. A club coach of his was sitting directly behind me and was convinced he would be hooked at half time. In the second half, he showed real pace. Pressed and defended well. Score a good header. Did a lot right in the second half

ST - Caden McLoughlin (Villarreal) - showed real trickery and creativity in flashes. Has plenty to work on but he stood out. He was also up against the other outstanding Mexican player, the captain Diego Ochoa, a Rolls Royce of a centre half. McLoughlin was involved with that counter attack where Zefi somehow squirmed past two or three players and carried the ball. McLoughlin made a run but the defenders stepped up and he was well offside, so Zefi delayed and played Vatta through, making a great run from deep, Vatta took it into the box before sliding it out to McLoughlin, who kinda rushed it, not realising the time he had and snatched at the opportunity with his weaker foot, rather than take a touch. In the second half, he was poleaxed by the keeper, who deserved a red card. It was a long ball which he showed great pace for, the keeper came charging way out but it bounced between him and McLoughlin and over the keepers head. McLoughlin would have ran onto it and had an open goal but the keeper absolutely milled him. Was a clear red but ref gave yellow. He also pressed well and for the first irish goal, he was the player who won the ball back for it by closing down the centre half

Mark O’Mahoney (Cork City) - replaced McLoughlin. Took his goal well. Could have had a second, with his movement, created a gap between the centre halves and made a great run. The pass didn’t come from Alex Nolan but if it had, he would have been 1 v 1 like in his goal. He also showed really good hold up play in the corner late on. Very impressive cameo.

Overall a very successful outing...