Under-17 Squad

[Kingdom]

Appreciate the post Elated.
Saw the highlights, and looked to be a game of two halves.
Interested in your review of the lb vs rw battle. I couldn't believe the simplicity of the Mexican goal. It makes more sense with your report.

[tetsujin1979]

Playing Mexico again today
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[SkStu]

Lost 2-0

[tetsujin1979]

Kevin Zefi blazing a trail to Italy for Irish kids to follow in move to Inter Milan: https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kevin-zefi-blazing-a-trail-to-italy-for-irish-kids-to-follow-in-move-to-inter-milan-41347576.html

Article mentions that Albania have made enquiries about him changing allegiance, but so far he has no intention of it

[JR89]

Cracking player and was surprised he wasn't named in the U17s squad. Played in the qualifying games last October. Has trained with Celtic but looks like Liverpool will sign him.

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[tetsujin1979]

Trent Kone-Doherty interviewed about playing for Ireland
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[tetsujin1979]

Cathal Heffernan played for AC Milan's primavera team this afternoon, think that's his first appearance at that level
https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/youth-teams/2022-05-15/the-primavera-secure-safety
He posted a photo of his jersey on Instagram, and his name is Andrews on it for some reason?
https://instagram.com/stories/cathal.heffernan/2838671890106186732

<EDIT>

I did a search and the transfer announcement also calls him Andrews
https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2022-02-15/youth-sector-summary-of-market-movements

Cathal Séan ANDREWS (pro) born in 2005, signed by AC Milan on loan (with an option to buy) from Cork City FC youth sector (Republic of Ireland);

[Eirambler]

Andrews is his mother's maiden name, possibly that's his official surname, I don't know.

[liamoo11]

Cathal Heffernan played for AC Milan's primavera team this afternoon, think that's his first appearance at that level
https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/youth-teams/2022-05-15/the-primavera-secure-safety
He posted a photo of his jersey on Instagram, and his name is Andrews on it for some reason?
https://instagram.com/stories/cathal.heffernan/2838671890106186732

<EDIT>

I did a search and the transfer announcement also calls him Andrews
https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2022-02-15/youth-sector-summary-of-market-movements

Hopefully that's a hood sign so for him getting a longer contract. It was only until the summer he signed wasn't it?

[Rayzor]

Andrews is his mother's maiden name, possibly that's his official surname, I don't know.


Probably, Rob Hefferman is actually his step father.

[tetsujin1979]

Cathal Heffernan training with the Milan first team yesterday
https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com/1293c890-579f-01b7-8480-902cca7de55e/27c552b4-0859-4bcd-8aea-871bbe8d8261/Allenamento_13.jpg

[JR89]

They've made his loan permanent.

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[JR89]

Has been over to train with Feyenoord.

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[liamoo11]

They've made his loan permanent.

1538858935377186821

Fair play. How long is the deal?

[Eirambler]

Anyone know what's the general feeling around Trent Kone-Doherty? Seems to have been a bit of a buzz around him in Derry and had a first team squad number at 15 before moving to Liverpool.

Is he seen as a Kevin Zefi level of talent at the time Zefi moved or maybe a level below that?

[Razors left peg]

Anyone that is around 1st team football at that age has to be special. Gavin Bazunu and Evan Ferguson good examples of it recently.

[nigel-harps1954]

Anyone know what's the general feeling around Trent Kone-Doherty? Seems to have been a bit of a buzz around him in Derry and had a first team squad number at 15 before moving to Liverpool.

Is he seen as a Kevin Zefi level of talent at the time Zefi moved or maybe a level below that?

Have seen him play a handful of times now. Wouldn't say he's at Zefi levels. He's a proper speed merchant, lad is lightning quick.

Hard to say how he'll turn out, given the age he is. I have my doubts, but he's a very decent young player. A little surprised at the level he's going to, but hope it works out for him.

[liamoo11]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu17-22-players-called-up-for-dublin-training-camp squad for training camp. The only boyle lad seems to have played previously for Albania. He is down as at millwall but transfermarkt has him at Brighton

[Olé Olé]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu17-22-players-called-up-for-dublin-training-camp squad for training camp. The only boyle lad seems to have played previously for Albania. He is down as at millwall but transfermarkt has him at Brighton
Aidan Cannon of Celtic's father is from Donegal : https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.donegaldaily.com/2022/07/02/glasgow-lad-with-falcarragh-roots-signs-pro-contract-at-celtic/amp/

[elatedscum]

disappointing that neither Golding or Wade are involved. I guess with Kone-Doherty not involved either, maybe it's nothing...

[liamoo11]

disappointing that neither Golding or Wade are involved. I guess with Kone-Doherty not involved either, maybe it's nothing...

Golding has been with England 17s in the last few weeks he seems well established in their squad. The kelly lad from man city isn't involved either, I haven't seen him or Wade involved in England squads

[tetsujin1979]

Aidan Cannon of Celtic's father is from Donegal : https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.donegaldaily.com/2022/07/02/glasgow-lad-with-falcarragh-roots-signs-pro-contract-at-celtic/amp/

Cannon signed his first professional contract at the beginning of July: https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/july/01/new-celtic-academy-intake-sign-on-with-the-hoops/

[tetsujin1979]

merged both under 17 threads

[CSAD]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu17-22-players-called-up-for-dublin-training-camp squad for training camp. The only boyle lad seems to have played previously for Albania. He is down as at millwall but transfermarkt has him at Brighton

Does anyone know anything about him? Is is Irish & Albanian or is he English with Irish heritage?

[Jd2793]

what schoolboy club is feeding pats these players? is it belvo? some going to have 6 called up

[JR89]

what schoolboy club is feeding pats these players? is it belvo? some going to have 6 called up

Sean Hayden and Anto Dodd played with Belvo. Sean Mackey and Luke Kehir played with Leixlip, and the other two played with Crumlin. Pats have a few link up at underage with different clubs and the Kildare league if that's still going.

[tetsujin1979]

double header against the Netherlands announced for September, as a wam up for the qualifiers against Norway, Belarus, and Armenia in October
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu17-friendly-double-header-against-netherlands-confirmed

[JR89]

Squad named.

Republic of Ireland Men's Under-17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bray Wanderers), Jason Healy (Waterford)

Defenders: Daniel Babb (UCD), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Sean Mackey (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Adam O’Halloran (Galway United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Anthony Dodd (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Luke Kehir (St. Patrick’s Athletic),Danny McGrath (Bohemians), Gabriel Gartside-Kelly (Manchester City), John O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers)

Forwards: Trent Kone-Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Nickson Okosun (Bohemians), Ike Orazi (Shamrock Rovers), Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers), Shaun Wade (Chelsea)

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s Fixtures

Wednesday, September 21 | The Netherlands MU17 v Republic of Ireland MU17, Kranenhof, Velp, The Netherlands, KO 6pm (Irish time)

Friday, September 23 | The Netherlands MU17 v Republic of Ireland MU17, Kranenhof, Velp, The Netherlands, KO 6pm (Irish time)

[elatedscum]

Great to see Shaun wade there, very impressive young lad. Good group, a few new faces.

Kone Doherty obviously the stand out performer. In terms of the irish-based lads, Cory O’Sullivan is really good and all of Okosun, Dodd and Razi have a bit about them.

[elatedscum]

Game 1 team:

Healy

Mackey
Turley (captain)
Grante
Mackey

McGrath
Dodd

Kehir
Razi
Kone Doherty

Okasun

[CSAD]

Game 1 team:

Healy

Mackey
Turley (captain)
Grante
Mackey

McGrath
Dodd

Kehir
Razi
Kone Doherty

Okasun

Who’s the player wearing 2? You put one player down twice so I can’t work out who it is.

[elatedscum]

Sorry, Daniel Babb! (Presumably Phil’s kid)

[pineapple stu]

He's at UCD, so don't think any connection to Phil. (Though I see he moved from Switzerland, so not sure what his background is)

https://m.facebook.com/nationalleaguefootballacademy/photos/a.346614326195994/932841920906562/?type=3&locale=ne_NP&_rdr

[Real ale Madrid]

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[Eirambler]

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Love the jeering in the build up from the Dutch crowd, expecting him to smack it into the wall or balloon it over the top. Quickly followed by the ball flying into the top corner.

[tetsujin1979]

Seeing Jeremy Doku signing for Manchester City reminded me of the first time I saw him, against the U17s in 2019. He had already played for Anderlecht 's senior team, and was the standout player on the day This was the Ireland team in that game
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[Olé Olé]

Seeing Jeremy Doku signing for Manchester City reminded me of the first time I saw him, against the U17s in 2019. He had already played for Anderlecht 's senior team, and was the standout player on the day This was the Ireland team in that game
1126525988894982144

He was head and shoulders above everyone. He was awesome. I can't remember if any other Belgium players were good but Omobamidele was second for me and Hodge not far off him. Everitt did okay and Idowu when he came on. But those were the main 3 I took note of.

[tetsujin1979]

This is the discussion on that game from the 2019 U17 European Championship thread: https://foot.ie/threads/227223-2019-UEFA-Under-17-Championship?p=2001465&viewfull=1#post2001465
Everyone was impressed with him.

Roland Idowu is with Waterford now, was sent off against Cork last week
Everitt was released by Brighton over the summer and signed for Dorking Wanderers yesterday: https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/matteveritt

[Olé Olé]

This is the discussion on that game from the 2019 U17 European Championship thread: https://foot.ie/threads/227223-2019-UEFA-Under-17-Championship?p=2001465&viewfull=1#post2001465
Everyone was impressed with him.

Roland Idowu is with Waterford now, was sent off against Cork last week
Everitt was released by Brighton over the summer and signed for Dorking Wanderers yesterday: https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/matteveritt

Delighted to read that I'm consistent and called out Doku, Hodge and Omobamidele in 2019 too :D

[tetsujin1979]

Going through the rest of the thread, people were doubtful of Charlie McCann's allegiance even at that stage

[JR89]

U17s are playing Belgium in two friendlies, tomorrow and Monday. Their first round of qualifiers start next month and are on in Cork. They play Armenia, Iceland, and Switzerland.
.

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s Squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bohemians), Oisin Cooney (Finn Harps)

Defenders: Luca Cailloce (Bohemians), Fiachra Coffey (Bohemians), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford), Taylor McCarthy (Shelbourne), Harry McGlinchey (Chelsea), James Roche (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Blackburn Rovers), Matthew Moore (Hoffenheim), Sean Moore (Shamrock Rovers), Luke O’Donnell (Derry City), Cathal O’Sullivan (Cork City), Aaron Ochoa Moloney (Malaga)

Forwards: Kyle Fitzgerald (Galway United), William Martin (Odense Boldklub), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Matthew Murray (Cork City), Ike Orazi (Stade de Reims), Jaden Umeh (Cork City),

[tetsujin1979]

First friendly finished 0-0, the second (this afternoon) finished 1-0 to Ireland. So far no lineup, or goalscorer has been announced by the FAI
this Belgian fan account thinks it was scored by William Martin, with an assist by Umeh
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<edit>

Actually the match report has just been published
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-mu17-belgium-0-1-ireland

[JR89]

UEFA have finally gotten around to introducing the changes that they were planning to do a few years ago only for Covid.

Changes for the U17s happen next season with the U19s happening in the 26/27season

https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0285-191289ee1ce4-ff8d3b82e87e-1000--new-u17-format-from-2024-25/


Key changes: Summary

From 2024/25, U17 EURO qualifying will consist of two stages named round 1 and round 2. All teams (including the final tournament hosts) compete in both stages, with round 2 now split into League A and League B.

The U17 EURO final tournament will now involve eight teams, including the hosts.

From 2026/27, U19 EURO qualifying will consist of three rounds, initially split into League A and League B as set by 2024/25 U17 EURO round 2. Round 1 will be played in spring of the year before the eventual final tournament, with round 2 in autumn and round 3 the spring prior to the summer finals.

Rounds 1 and 2 will be played under the two-league format, and involve the final tournament hosts. Round 3 will resemble the current elite round with 28 teams.

The U19 EURO final tournament will continue to involve eight teams, including the hosts.
The 2024/25 and 2025/26 editions of U19 EURO wil be played under the existing format of qualifying round, elite round and final tournament

[EalingGreen]

As per JR89's post (above), those are not the only changes by UEFA regarding the U-17's:

Russia will be readmitted to European U17 competitions for the first time since the country's invasion of Ukraine 19 months ago, Uefa has confirmed.
European football's governing body says boys and girls should not be punished for the actions of adults.
"Football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope," the organisation said in a statement.
The Football Association disagrees with Uefa's decision and says England would not play Russia if drawn against them.
Uefa says it has "reiterated its condemnation of Russia's illegal war" and confirmed all other Russian teams remain suspended.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66927138

Is it possible that some of those Russians might have turned 18 by the time the tournament reaches its final stages? If so, would these (by now) adults be excluded? Maybe UEFA could keep them on board, to prevent them from being conscripted by Putin and sent into battle to kill Ukrainians, including 17 y.o. civilians.

[JR89]

Yeah I can see more than just the FA stopping their teams from playing against them.

[EalingGreen]

Yeah I can see more than just the FA stopping their teams from playing against them.Entirely predictably, Ukraine's FA have weighed in:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66933898

Anyhow, it surely isn't a question of who they are (in this case children), but rather who they represent? Which is effectively recognised by this:
"Uefa's executive committee has asked the organisation's administration to 'propose a technical solution' to allow teams back into U17 competitions even if they have already started.
It added that the matches will not be played in Russia and the teams will not be allowed wear the national kit, display their flag or play their anthem"

[EalingGreen]

The Ukrainian FA has written to all European associations asking them not to play against Russia U17s following Uefa's decision to readmit national teams from the country at youth level.

BBC Sport understands the decision was not supported unanimously within Uefa, which comes after European football's governing body banned all Russian sides following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The English FA has already said it will not allow England to play Russia. Sweden has also said its U17 side will not host Russia.
Link here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66954582

[EalingGreen]

FAI Statement from earlier today:

"At a meeting of the FAI Board last night, it was unanimously agreed to re-affirm our clearly stated position that no representative Ireland teams, at any age group, would play against any team from Russia in any competition at the present time."
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/fai-statement-5

Well done! :good:

EDIT: Poland and Romania have also said they won't play Russia, while Denmark are also thought to be taking the same approach:
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0928/1407890-fai-re-affirm-russia-policy-over-potential-u-17-games/

Time for the IFA, SFA and FAW to get off their arses and stand up for what is right.

[CSAD]

FAI Statement from earlier today:

"At a meeting of the FAI Board last night, it was unanimously agreed to re-affirm our clearly stated position that no representative Ireland teams, at any age group, would play against any team from Russia in any competition at the present time."
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/fai-statement-5

Well done! :good:

EDIT: Poland and Romania have also said they won't play Russia, while Denmark are also thought to be taking the same approach:
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0928/1407890-fai-re-affirm-russia-policy-over-potential-u-17-games/

Time for the IFA, SFA and FAW to get off their arses and stand up for what is right.

Wrong decision.

[EalingGreen]

Wrong decision.By the FAI?

How so?