2023 UEFA European Under 19 Championship

[Olé Olé]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu19-mohan-names-squad-for-qualifiers-in-wales


Qualifying Round Squad
Elite Round Squad


Goalkeepers
Reece Byrne (Bohemians)
Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur)

Goalkeepers
Reece Byrne (Bohemians)
Owen Mason (Kettering Town, on loan from Mansfield Town)


Defender
James Abankwah (Udinese)
John Clarke (Reading)
Sam Curtis (St. Patrick's Athletic)
Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace)
Alex Murphy (Newcastle United)
Harry Nevin (Preston North End)
David Okagbue (Oldham Athletic)

Defenders
James Abankwah (Udinese)
Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace)
James Golding (Oxford United)
Alex Murphy (Newcastle United)
Harry Nevin (Preston North End)
John Ryan (Sassulo)


Midfielder
Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers)
Oisin Gallagher (Lincoln City)
Ronan Maher (Walsall)
Ed McJannet (Luton Town)
Harry Vaughan (Oldham Athletic)

Midfielders
Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers)
Oisin Gallagher (Barwell, on loan from Lincoln City)
Ed McJannet (Lecce)
James McManus (Bohemians)
Harry Vaughan (Hull City)
Rocco Vata (Celtic)


Forwards
Nathan Fraser (Wolves)
Tom Lonergan (UCD)
Mark O'Mahony (Cork City)
Franco Umeh (Cork City)
Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)

Forwards
Tommy Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Sean Moore (Cliftonville)
Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace)
Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)




Squad named. I haven't come across John Clarke I don't think. Has he been called up before? He has gone from Stockport to Port Vale to Reading and has 3 or 4 first team appearances at Reading this season.

UEFA Under 19 Championship
(https://www.uefa.com/under19/)2023 UEFA European Under 19 Championship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship)
2023 UEFA European Under 19 Championship Qualification (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification)
2023 UEFA European Under 19 Championship - Qualifying Round - Group 4
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_4)2023 UEFA European Under 19 Championship - Elite Round - Group 5
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_5_2)

[Eirambler]

Clarke was at the training camp last month. First formal call up for him though. He's the youngest Irish player to have played in the top two divisions in England this season, so clearly making a good impression at Reading.

[JR89]

That article doesn't include Rocco Vata who was also named going by the squad list pic on twitter. Guess David Okagbue is a 2004 born and his date of birth online is wrong.

[elatedscum]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu19-mohan-names-squad-for-qualifiers-in-wales

Squad named. I haven't come across John Clarke I don't think. Has he been called up before? He has gone from Stockport to Port Vale to Reading and has 3 or 4 first team appearances at Reading this season.

He was involved in the training camp at the start of August. https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu19-mohan-calls-in-players-for-uk-camp

Really surprised that Cian Coleman isn't involved (he captained the 19s in June) and he's very good. Another lad I thought should definitely be involved is Luke Pearce. Really like him.

There's a bunch of other lads who I thought had decent shouts. Guys like Noah Jauny, Owen Mason, Glory Nzingo who was an u19 last season, Eric Yoro, Dara McGuinness, Jamie Mullins, Aaron O'Reilly, Billy Brooks, Cian Kelly Caprani and Josh Seary.

Quite a lot of u18 kids involved: Curtis, Ferizaj, Zefi, Umeh, O'Mahony, Vata (not included in FAI website but they're missing a player and including in social posts) with Umeh being the biggest surprise. It'll be interesting where they play Abankwah, there's real depth at centre-half, so could see him playing at right back, where he's excellent and can contribute more attacking. Same with Alex Murphy on the left side. Then you're choosing between Grehan, Okagbue and Nevin at centre-half. Or you could play Abankwah or Murphy centrally and bring in Curtis or Clarke to a full back slot.

I'd imagine the midfield starters would be McJannett, Ferizaj and Vaughan - but admittedly haven't seen Maher play (he recently made his debut for Walsall).

As for the front 3. No idea. Fraser scores goals for fun for Wolves and generally plays as a centre forward but can cut in from the left. O'Mahony does the same for Ireland, goals goals goals. Meanwhile Lonergan has scored 4 this season for UCD's senior side. Then you've got Zefi and Umeh as wingers. Personally, I'd have called up Nzingo or McGuinness or even Caprani-Kelly instead of a midfielder.

I wonder if Albania approached Vata and Zefi in the same way they approached Ferizaj

[JR89]

They played 3-5-2 in June and might stick with that formation. Mohan also used it in March. Grehan was in the squad back in March so could see it being Abankwah, Grehan, and one of Nevin or Okagbue in a three with Curtis and Clarke starting as WBs with Murphy and Vaughan in midfield. Both Murphy and Vaughan were good together as a midfield two in the games back in June.

They've already approached Zefi a couple of times I think Carr has said and you can be sure they've approached the son of Rudi Vata. They're looking to improve potential squad depth but could only see them saying to the lads you'll be in playing with the U21s rather than U19s.

[CSAD]

They played 3-5-2 in June and might stick with that formation. Mohan also used it in March. Grehan was in the squad back in March so could see it being Abankwah, Grehan, and one of Nevin or Okagbue in a three with Curtis and Clarke starting as WBs with Murphy and Vaughan in midfield. Both Murphy and Vaughan were good together as a midfield two in the games back in June.

They've already approached Zefi a couple of times I think Carr has said and you can be sure they've approached the son of Rudi Vata. They're looking to improve potential squad depth but could only see them saying to the lads you'll be in playing with the U21s rather than U19s.

Albania are like Wales as in they like to cap a lot of dual national players from other countries who have potential to play for them in future.

[JR89]

1572597789447667712

[Briuk]

Can this game be watched anywhere? I found the Wales - Hungary is in the youtube channel of FA Wales

[JR89]

Only game that's gonna be watchable will more than likely be the Wales game because they'll be streaming it themselves.

[Eirambler]

Only 1-0 up at half time against Gibraltar. Suspect Gibraltar are packing the box in defence like their senior team do.

[tetsujin1979]

17 shots, seven on target, in the first half
https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2034128--republic-of-ireland-vs-gibraltar/statistics/

[elatedscum]

Only 1-0 up at half time against Gibraltar. Suspect Gibraltar are packing the box in defence like their senior team do.

17 shots to 0 in the first half, you'd imagine so

[elatedscum]

O'Mahony hat-trick 3-0

the boy just scores and scores

[JR89]

O'Mahony hat-trick 3-0

the boy just scores and scores

Steven Ireland will have him doing a tour of Europe soon training with everyone and anyone.

[Eirambler]

5-0 now.

[elatedscum]

changing the keeper with 5 mins to go, interesting...

[tetsujin1979]

Finished 6-0, last minute own goal from Gibraltar
Wales and Hungary drew 0-0 earlier: https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2034129--wales-vs-hungary/
We face Wales on Saturday at 1, while Hungary play Gibraltar
Given Wales, the hosts, streamed their game earlier, there should be a stream for that game

[Stuttgart88]

Some of the goals were comically bad by Gibraltar

[tetsujin1979]

Goals on Twitter
1572669492613640192

[tetsujin1979]

Live stream of the Wales game will be available here.
Kick off at 1pm
3j3Yh1fGQtg

[tetsujin1979]

Lineups announced
https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2034154--republic-of-ireland-vs-wales/lineups/

[CSAD]

Lineups announced
https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2034154--republic-of-ireland-vs-wales/lineups/

Maybe it?s the cynic in me but I?m suspecting it isn?t after the first 30 minutes but is Tom Mohan turning into abit of a Noal King and picking below par English born players in the hope one comes good and declares? All of them have appeared to be totally anonymous.

[CSAD]

2-0 win for Ireland ensures progression to the elite round.

[Eirambler]

Good win, important to go on now and top the group to try and get a better elite round draw than last year. Hopefully holding a few would be starters back today for the Hungary game will help with that.

[CSAD]

Really need to aim to win 3/3

The u19s qualifying is very unforgiving, we really need to leave no stones unturned to give us a fair shot of qualification.

[tetsujin1979]

Beat Hungary 1-0 to top the group with 3 wins from 3 games. Of the other completed groups, only Germany and England have a better record - both teams have +10 goal difference compared to Ireland's +9
What's interesting is Italy finished third in their group on goal difference with two wins, and might go out despite having a better record than some group winners
A really bizarre set of results saw Poland, Estonia, and Italy finish with identical records - a win against Bosnia, and a win and a loss in their other two games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_5

[tetsujin1979]

Seedings announced ahead of the Elite Stage draw tomorrow: https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0278-15f2049c1042-5c74a767f678-1000--elite-round-draw-thursday/

Seeding pots
Pot A: Portugal, Germany, Ukraine, England (holders), France, Serbia, Republic of Ireland
Pot B: Spain, Greece, Romania, Croatia, Poland, Türkiye, Slovenia
Pot C: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Iceland
Pot D: Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Latvia, Slovakia, Hungary, Sweden, Italy

[liamoo11]

Seedings announced ahead of the Elite Stage draw tomorrow: https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0278-15f2049c1042-5c74a767f678-1000--elite-round-draw-thursday/

An ireland Spain Belgium and Italy group with one to qualify would be tasty

[tetsujin1979]

Group drawn: https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0278-15f2049c1042-5c74a767f678-1000--elite-round-draw-made/

Elite round groups

Group 1: France, Romania, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group 2: Germany, Slovenia, Belgium, Italy
Group 3: Ukraine, Spain, Denmark, Luxembourg
Group 4: Portugal, Croatia, Czechia, Sweden
Group 5: Republic of Ireland, Greece, Estonia, Slovakia
Group 6: Serbia, Poland, Israel, Latvia
Group 7: England (holders), Türkiye, Iceland, Hungary

Hosts/dates TBC


No bad, have a chance of topping that group
Greece topped Group 1 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_1) - beat Switzerland and Andorra and drew with Czech Republic
Estonia finished second in Group 5 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_5) - beat Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and lost to Poland
Slovakia finished second in Group 12 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship_qualification#Group_12) - Drew with Belarus, beat Armenia, and lost to Germany

[pineapple stu]

An ireland Spain Belgium and Italy group with one to qualify would be tasty

How in absolute jaysus is that group a possibility?!

Edit - Italy the best of the third placed teams in the first round, and so technically last to qualify, even though they got more points (6) than 11 other teams, including four group winners. That's a bit of a daft way to do seeding, albeit that underage seeding can be hard.

[JR89]

How in absolute jaysus is that group a possibility?!

Edit - Italy the best of the third placed teams in the first round, and so technically last to qualify, even though they got more points (6) than 11 other teams, including four group winners. That's a bit of a daft way to do seeding, albeit that underage seeding can be hard.

Was talks that they'll be using a similar set up as the Nations League to these age groups to decide who qualifies for the final tournament.

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland confirmed as hosts for the Group: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/uefa-draws-confirmed-for-u19s-u17s

Next up for the squad are three Group 5 games against Slovakia, Estonia and Greece, with Ireland acting as hosts for those crucial qualifiers

2022/23 UEFA Under-19 European Championship Elite Round
Wednesday, March 22 | Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
Saturday, March 25 | Republic of Ireland v Estonia
Tuesday, March 28 | Greece v Republic of Ireland
Strong home turnout for the three games could give us the edge to top the group

[Kingdom]

Ireland confirmed as hosts for the Group: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/uefa-draws-confirmed-for-u19s-u17s

Strong home turnout for the three games could give us the edge to top the group

Regardless of host country, we should be winning that group. Great chance now to make the finals in.... Malta?.

[elatedscum]

with the 17s qualifying, the 19s are playing in Wexford in the elite round next...

no idea who is injured etc but if everyone was fit, this would be my squad:

1. Maguire
2. Byrne
3. S Curtis
4. Abankwah
5. Okagbue
6. Grehan
7. Murphy
8. Clarke
9. McJannett
10. Coleman
11. Ferizaj
12. Mullins
13. Vata
14. Umeh
15. Zefi
16. Nzingo
17. Moore
18. O’Mahony
19. Pearce
20. Lonergan



With my backups being these lads:
1. Jauny
2. Storer
3. Seary
4. O’Reilly
5. Nevin
6. Yoro
7. Heffernan
8. Ryan
9. Gibbard
10. Vaughan
11. Gallagher
12. Maher
13. Quinn
14. McGuinness
15. Caprani
16. Kenny
17. McGrath
18. Fraser
19. McLoughlin
20. McConnell

Wouldn't have too much of an issue if a theoretical player from list A was replaced by someone on list B, for example John Ryan instead of John Clarke or Cathal Heffernan over David Okagbue etc etc. It'd a very deep group - probably could have gone well beyond the 40.

It's an unusual age group cause they lost u17s, so we have less info than most age groups.

Looking back at the previous round, that would have Luke Pearce coming in for Nathan Fraser. Not sure why Pearce hasn't been used more, thought he was an excellent u18 and he's a year older than Fraser.

Cian Coleman also coming in, another excellent u18, not sure why he hasn't been involved. Jamie Mullins another lad coming in - with Gallagher, Vaughan and Maher all going out of midfield - all 3 are players i'd like to see more of, as I like what I've seen but amn't convinced entirely yet.

Glory Nzingo played in the elite phase last year but wasn't involved in the squad this year - but I think he's very talented. Finally Sean Moore is the last player. Michael O'Neill has said he's been offered a call up by NI u19s - I think he's really talented so I'd want him definitely involved. Harry Nevin is the last lad I've got missing out...

I'd be surprised if Pearce, Coleman or Nzingo were involved but that'd be my squad anyway

[Razors left peg]

Impressive knowledge of the players at that age group elatedscum, fair play

[JR89]

Squad is being named on Wednesday along with the U21s. Would be surprised to see James McManus finally get his first call up for the U19s. Not sure whether he was injured or not but was very good for the U17s and they missed him big time in last seasons Elite Phase.

[nigel-harps1954]

If he continues to perform at LOI level, I wouldn't be surprised to see Daithi McCallion make the switch from the north at some point over the next year. 17 years old, and currently in N.Ire 19's, starting week in, week out in the LOI and looks fantastically comfortable and a real leader on the pitch.

[DCWA]

If he continues to perform at LOI level, I wouldn't be surprised to see Daithi McCallion make the switch from the north at some point over the next year. 17 years old, and currently in N.Ire 19's, starting week in, week out in the LOI and looks fantastically comfortable and a real leader on the pitch.

He is the Son of former SF MP Elisha McCallion so you would be surprised if he and family didn’t look for that move.

His Mother had a similar switch of allegiances of sorts as was in the Seanad after being a Westminster MP so it runs in the family.

Good wee player for sure.

[Kingdom]

with the 17s qualifying, the 19s are playing in Wexford in the elite round next...

no idea who is injured etc but if everyone was fit, this would be my squad:

1. Maguire
2. Byrne
3. S Curtis
4. Abankwah
5. Okagbue
6. Grehan
7. Murphy
8. Clarke
9. McJannett
10. Coleman
11. Ferizaj
12. Mullins
13. Vata
14. Umeh
15. Zefi
16. Nzingo
17. Moore
18. O’Mahony
19. Pearce
20. Lonergan



With my backups being these lads:
1. Jauny
2. Storer
3. Seary
4. O’Reilly
5. Nevin
6. Yoro
7. Heffernan
8. Ryan
9. Gibbard
10. Vaughan
11. Gallagher
12. Maher
13. Quinn
14. McGuinness
15. Caprani
16. Kenny
17. McGrath
18. Fraser
19. McLoughlin
20. McConnell

Wouldn't have too much of an issue if a theoretical player from list A was replaced by someone on list B, for example John Ryan instead of John Clarke or Cathal Heffernan over David Okagbue etc etc. It'd a very deep group - probably could have gone well beyond the 40.

It's an unusual age group cause they lost u17s, so we have less info than most age groups.

Looking back at the previous round, that would have Luke Pearce coming in for Nathan Fraser. Not sure why Pearce hasn't been used more, thought he was an excellent u18 and he's a year older than Fraser.

Cian Coleman also coming in, another excellent u18, not sure why he hasn't been involved. Jamie Mullins another lad coming in - with Gallagher, Vaughan and Maher all going out of midfield - all 3 are players i'd like to see more of, as I like what I've seen but amn't convinced entirely yet.

Glory Nzingo played in the elite phase last year but wasn't involved in the squad this year - but I think he's very talented. Finally Sean Moore is the last player. Michael O'Neill has said he's been offered a call up by NI u19s - I think he's really talented so I'd want him definitely involved. Harry Nevin is the last lad I've got missing out...

I'd be surprised if Pearce, Coleman or Nzingo were involved but that'd be my squad anyway

As always ES, much appreciated.

[Eirambler]

Here's the squad. Decent picking from ES, particularly in the forwards. Great to see Sean Moore in.

Goalkeepers: Reece Byrne (Bohemians), Owen Mason (Kettering Town, on loan from Mansfield Town)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), James Golding (Oxford United), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Harry Nevin (Preston North End), John Ryan (Sassulo)

Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Oisin Gallagher (Barwell, on loan from Lincoln City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), James McManus (Bohemians), Harry Vaughan (Hull City), Rocco Vata (Celtic)

Forwards: Tommy Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Moore (Cliftonville), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)

[tetsujin1979]

All games to be streamed on loi tv too
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-mu19-squad-named-for-euro-qualifiers

[Kingdom]

Here's the squad. Decent picking from ES, particularly in the forwards. Great to see Sean Moore in.

Goalkeepers: Reece Byrne (Bohemians), Owen Mason (Kettering Town, on loan from Mansfield Town)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), James Golding (Oxford United), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Harry Nevin (Preston North End), John Ryan (Sassulo)

Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Oisin Gallagher (Barwell, on loan from Lincoln City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), James McManus (Bohemians), Harry Vaughan (Hull City), Rocco Vata (Celtic)

Forwards: Tommy Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Moore (Cliftonville), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)

That's a squad worth getting excited about. What's even better is that there are about 10/11 players there that are pretty well known already (Byrne, Abankwah, Curtis, Grehan, Ferizaj, McJannet, McManus, Vata, O'Mahoney, Franco & Zefi)

[SkStu]

It really is a squad worth salivating over, especially when you look at the levels below and above and the quality that is there too - as well as those who have already graduated to seniors. We know from experience you cant pin your hopes on the potential in our U17 and U19 squads but these are great signs for us over the next 10-15 years.

[Kingdom]

It really is a squad worth salivating over, especially when you look at the levels below and above and the quality that is there too - as well as those who have already graduated to seniors. We know from experience you cant pin your hopes on the potential in our U17 and U19 squads but these are great signs for us over the next 10-15 years.

And better still, it will be very very useful for the 21s in the next couple of seasons as these kids keep developing while aiming for achievable targets such as qualification for these finals. It serves two purposes - a) there's a clear opportunity for upward progression b) the next age-group and this age-group aren't hamstrung by having all the talent plugging holes elsewhere (even allowing for Ev Ferguson not being involved) - there is enough talent of a similar ability and stature there to compensate.

A huge help to their development and future development.

[Razors left peg]

That U19 squad could genuinely be the best underage squad we've had since we won the Euros under Kerr

[JR89]

8 of the 20 named are underage again next season and all bar Sam Curtis are midfielders or forwards.

[liamoo11]

8 of the 20 named are underage again next season and all bar Sam Curtis are midfielders or forwards.

Curtis is the youngest in that squad which is hard to believe given how much senior football he has played. If he was born a month later he would have been eligible for our under 17s this season

[liamoo11]

It really is a squad worth salivating over, especially when you look at the levels below and above and the quality that is there too - as well as those who have already graduated to seniors. We know from experience you cant pin your hopes on the potential in our U17 and U19 squads but these are great signs for us over the next 10-15 years.

Are we a bit light with keepers?

[Eirambler]

8 of the 20 named are underage again next season and all bar Sam Curtis are midfielders or forwards.

10 of them I think.

[JR89]

10 of them I think.

Curtis, Ferizaj, Vata, McManus, Zefi, Moore, O'Mahony, and Umeh. Believe the rest are all 2004 unless Google has it wrong but don't think any of them featured on a team when the lads player U17s.