Ireland Under-19s

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

I know that there are already threads relating to the Ireland Under-19s superb performances against Italy last week. However, I would like to pose the question as to whether anyone believes that this team can win the European Championships this year?
We have a habit of producing quality teams at this age level in recent years and I would imagine that we have been one of the most, if not the most consistent nation at Under-19 level since 1997. We have consistently challenged for this competition and produced some memorable results along the way. It would seem that Sean McCaffrey has simply continued where Brian Kerr and Noel O'Reilly left off.

After a 0-0 draw and a 2 nil win away to Italy last week, surely this is another talented bunch of Irish underage players. What makes these results even more impressive is that the Irish team suffered ten withfdrawals in the run-up to these games. McCaffrey had to plan without the services of Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Paul McShane (ManU - on loan at Walsall), Patrick Cregg (Arsenal), Joey O'Brien (Bolton - on loan at Sheffield Wed), and 17 year old James Simmonds who's currently in the Chelsea reserves. Even Ireland's main striker, Andy Keogh, who is on loan at Bury from Wolves was missing. He scored his second goal in as many games for Bury at the weekend. Even without these players, the team that beat Italy in Bari included the likes of Darren Randolph (Charlton), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Foley (Aston Villa), and the highly rated Billy Clarke of Ipswich Town.

Ireland will travel to Serbia and Montenegro in April to face the hosts, Albania and Poland in a pre-qualifying tournament. Irish underage teams have progressed from tougher groups in the past. With the possibility that Arsenal sensation, Anthony Stokes will be added to this highly-talented squad of players, we should not be surprised if this Irish team goes a long way in 2005.

I also heard that Northern Ireland is the location for the finals of the European Under-19 Championships this year (correct me if Im wrong). I read something about the Republic Under-19s potentially being based in Newry (if they qualify)? With the Championships more-or-less on home soild, surely this is a great opportunity for them to repeat the successes of their predecessors in 1998.

[Eirambler]

Ya, its great to see another batch of great young players coming through, and I fancy them to qualify from that group, although they're lucky to be still in it at all because they lost to Cyprus(!) in the last qualifying round.

If they did make it they'd have fantastic home support in the finals, which would help a lot.

I wonder will some of the players from the Italy games will now lose their squad places when the other 10 come back?

[eirebhoy]

Good post, great to see people with a keen interested in those progressing. Its amazing to think that this team was one kick of a ball away from not qualifying.

Holland is the host country, N.Ireland haven't got the stadiums. If I remember correctly the last tournament took place in October/November so a lot of countries would have had to let some first team players stay at their clubs but this year its in June.


I wonder will some of the players from the Italy games will now lose their squad places when the other 10 come back?
Without a doubt. The players TheJamaicanP.M. mentioned (with the possible exception of Simmonds) would walk into the team.

[pineapple stu]

Interesting. Had a bit of a laugh initially, but then beating and drawing with Italy in Italy missing an entire team (and including three eL players who wouldn't have played for two months) makes you think. We have to get there obviously, but I suppose we could get somewhere in the tournament alright.

Course, the other thing is how many players will the senior team get out of it? Of the U-20s in Malaysia in 1997, only one player has broken into the international squad really - Duffer. The likes of Crowe got a couple of caps, bt beyond that, nobody got through. The U16s in 1998 gave us Dunne, O'Shea, Murphy and that's about it? U18s the same year gave us Keane, Quinn, Dunne... Anyone know how many players (at other countries even) make the step up normally?

[Eirambler]

Holland is the host country, N.Ireland haven't got the stadiums.

When was it changed, UEFA (http://www.uefa.com/competitions/Under19/news/Kind=1/newsId=272608.html) site still says its up north.

[eirebhoy]

sorry getting mixed up with the world youth championships.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Interesting. Had a bit of a laugh initially, but then beating and drawing with Italy in Italy missing an entire team (and including three eL players who wouldn't have played for two months) makes you think. We have to get there obviously, but I suppose we could get somewhere in the tournament alright.

Course, the other thing is how many players will the senior team get out of it? Of the U-20s in Malaysia in 1997, only one player has broken into the international squad really - Duffer. The likes of Crowe got a couple of caps, bt beyond that, nobody got through. The U16s in 1998 gave us Dunne, O'Shea, Murphy and that's about it? U18s the same year gave us Keane, Quinn, Dunne... Anyone know how many players (at other countries even) make the step up normally?

Your right to ask the question regarding how productive this team will be in terms of producing players for the senior team?
Dunne was not part of the under-16 team in 1998. From the top of my head, that team produced a number of senior internationals: Joe Murphy, Jim Goodwin, John O'Shea, John Thompson, Graham Barrett, Liam Miller, Andy Reid, and Jonathon Douglas. Was there anyone else who got a cap? Perhaps the biggest disappointments from that team were Keith Foy and Shaun Byrne, both of whom will be doing well to still be involved in football in a years time.

Of the under-18 team from 1998, Richard Dunne, Gary Doherty, Barry Quinn, Alan Quinn, Stephen McPhail, and Robbie Keane made it through to earn senior caps. Ger Crossley, who was then with Celtic was invited to train with the senior squad for a couple of end of season friendlies. Jason Gavin (then with Middlesboro) got a call-up to the senior squad. In addition to these players, Richie Partridge of Liverpool was part of the under-18 squad.
Damien Duff, Richie Sadlier, and Alan Maybury were also eligible for this team, but were unavailable due to injuries. I believe this was our most talented underage team ever. What a pity they didnt go on to win the World Youth Championships in Nigeria the following year.

Our under-20 team that played in the 2003 World Youth Championships has already yielded Stephen Elliott, and Stephen Kelly of Spurs looks set to follow in his footsteps. Therefore, although many players never make it, it is clear that our youth teams are producing a steady conveyor belt of talent. That is why this current under-19 team should be watched with excitement.

[Stuttgart88]

Absolutely. And judging by McCaffrey's comments about Darren Randolph during the week maybe there's a long term replacement for Shay on the horizon.

[eirebhoy]

McCaffrey confident ahead of qualifiers (http://www.fai.ie/article.asp?hlid=251778&Title=McCaffrey+confident+ahead+of+qualifiers&lid=Main+News&sub=McCaffrey+confident+ahead+of+qualifiers&navlid=&sublid=)

The Republic of Ireland Under 19’s preparations for the European Championships qualifiers received a massive boost last week with a victory over Italy in Bari and manager Sean McCaffrey admits that last week’s performances have given him greater confidence ahead of the competitive matches.

McCaffrey is busily preparing his squad for the qualifiers, to take place in Serbia and Montenegro in April when Ireland will be looking to finish top of a four team group of the hosts, Albania and Poland.

Before then, Ireland travel to the Spanish resort of La Manga for three friendly clashes against Denmark, Norway and the Czech Republic.

But even with those three games to come, McCaffrey admits that his team are looking very strong. Two clashes with Italy, one win and draw and no goals conceded are bound to appease any manager but for McCaffrey it was the high quality of the performances that delighted him most.

“I was delighted with the performances,” said McCaffrey. “Italy are a top team, technically very good and very physically. They got away with murder but it was us that got the good results.

“Even under immense intimidation we played well. They were getting frees which was frustrating and they were kicking lumps out of us and we were getting no protection. When that happens, you fear that someone will react but that never happened which shows the maturity of the side.”

McCaffrey admits that travelling to Italy, he knew that he had an under strength squad though the performances mean that a number of them are not only pushing for a place in the squad for competitive games, but also a place in the team.

“I think three or four of them are good enough and the Italy matches definitely broadened the squad base and gives me a lot to think about. If they can do it against Italy, they can do it against anyone!

“But I still hope to have a full strength squad in La Manga. It’s the hazard of being an international manager but I would prefer if we didn’t go to Serbia with some the players still not having played together.”

Getting the squad together can prove difficult McCaffrey admitted especially with some of his brightest stars still eligible for Under 19 football such as Joe O’Brien (Sheffield Wednesday), Paul McShane (Walsall) and Aiden McGeady (Celtic) starring for their respective first teams or on loan at lower division clubs and progressing through the ranks rapidly.

But getting all his players together in La Manga is not the only concern for McCaffrey who is keen to go on a spying mission to watch Ireland’s three European Championship opponents.

“They’re all very secretive but I still hope to get a look at them before we play them. Getting to see Poland is most important because we’ll play them first and I will get to look at the other two in their matches.”

[tetsujin1979]

Richie Partridge of Liverpool was part of the under-18 squad.

Partridge sat on the bench for Don Givens' one game in charge against Greece after Mick left and before Brian Kerr was appointed. I was shocked he didn't come on as he was doing well for Coventry at the time and that game was woeful!

[pete]

People forget when they criticise the FAI that they spend a lot of money on all their under-age international teams which no other irish sporting organisation even comes close to.

Doesn't mean the FAI not open to criticism though ;)