Taken from the Carlow People Newspaper:
http://www.carlowpeople.ie/sport/soc...n-1850424.html
FC Carlow begin their U-20 League of Ireland campaign next Saturday 8th August at 2pm in Ballon, when they take on Waterford United.
Having surprised a few people last season by qualifying from a very strong group at their first attempt, ahead of the likes of Wexford Youths and Waterford United, FC Carlow start this years campaign hoping that they can emulate or even surpass last years achievements. A tough group awaits again this year, as they will be facing last seasons U-20 and Futsal Champions Cork City, Wexford Youths, Waterford United, Limerick FC and Kilkenny City.
Head Coach Pat Purcell believes the team is even stronger this year, even though they go into this season minus 5 of last years team, as 3 players are overage for this season and two players Tomas Brennan and Ryan Curran have received soccer scholarships to the USA. Tomas moved to Wintrop University in South Carolina last week, while Ryan is heading state side next week, when he takes up a position in Fordham University in New York. All involved in FC Carlow would like to wish the 2 lads all the best in Ameirca and we hope you have long and successful careers ahead of you.
Despite the loss of the aforementioned players, 9 of last season's squad are still available this year. The experience they gained by reaching the quarter final last season, the experience they are gaining every week in the Newstalk League of Ireland 'A' Championship and with the addition of recent signings, FC Carlow will most certainly be a force to be reckoned with again this season.
Last seasons top scorer Daragh Walshe continues to score regularly for the 'A' team and is also available for the U-20 team. Daragh was capped twice for Ireland in April as a result of his performances for FC Carlow in the U-20 competition and for the Carlow League in the Oscar Traynor Youths competition and scored on his debut against Cyprus. Including Daragh, FC Carlow now have 3 Irish Internationals in their U-20 Squad with the addition of Hacketstown lads Shane Howard and Kevin McCarney. Shane has been capped many times for Ireland and recently played for the Ireland Schools against England. Kevin captained Ireland at U-115, but injury has kept him out of the international setup for the last couple of years.
Other notable signings are Robbie Farrell (Wexford), Mark Cowman (Wexford) and CJ Browne (Kilkenny), plus a number of players have moved up from last years youths team including Eric Molloy, Damien Byrne, and James Coleman.
With three games in their first week, FC Carlow will be hoping to get off to a flying start. Following their opening fixture against Waterford on Saturday, they travel to Buckley Park to face Kilkenny City on Tuesday 11th August at 8pm, followed by a long away trip to Limerick on Sunday 16th August. Carlow won all three of these fixtures last season and if they can end the first week of the new campaign with 9 points, they will very pleased with their opening weeks work.
FC Carlow U-20 Squad: Jeff Moran, Stephen Duncan, Cillian Murphy, Philip Smithers, Adam Byrne, James Coleman, Mark Cowman, Damien Byrne, CJ Browne, Shane Clarke, Robbie Farrell, Kevin McCarney, Eric Molloy, Daragh Walshe, Shane Howard, Cathal Coughlan, Andrew Hickey, Stevie Purcell, John Brennan, Dean Ryan, Denis Kealy, Jon Block.
