UEFA U-19 First Qualifying Phase

Qualifying round
21.11.2008 v Malta 11:00
23.11.2008 v Liechtenstein 15:00
26.11.2008 v France 11:00

Republic of Ireland under-19 squad:
Kieron Thorp (Crystal Palace), GK
Gerard Hanley (Galway United), GK
Lanre Oyebanjo (Histon), CB
Danny Kelly (Norwich City), CB/FW
Niall McArdle (Sunderland), CB
Gavin Gunning (Blackburn Rovers), CB/LB
Shane O'Connor (Liverpool), LB/LM
Jamie Devitt (Hull City), M
Conor Clifford (Chelsea), CM
Gearoid Morrissey (Blackburn Rovers), M
Damien McCrory (Plymouth Argyle), LM
Aaron Doran (Blackburn Rovers), LM/FW
Paul Murphy (Ipswich Town), M
Paddy Madden (Bohemians), ST
James Collins (Aston Villa), ST
Ian Daly (Manchester City), ST
Richie Towell, (Celtic), ST
Mark Connolly (Wolves) ST

Squad named for U-19 qualifying in Malta next week. Don't know too many in the squad. Best of luck to them.

Malta and Liechtenstein? How'd we end up in a group like that?

Top two from this group and 12 others plus two best 3rd place teams(28 in total), go into an elite qualifying phase (7 groups of 4).

The 7 winners and Ukraine(hosts) compete in Finals next summer.

Just two home based players. The FAI should really be aiming to turn this around in the future.

Conor Henderson of Arsenal not in this age group?

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Conor Henderson of Arsenal not in this age group?

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He got injured for the rest of the season 2 months back in a reserve match

or indeed McCarthy of Hamilton.............

McCarthy's with the U12s now. Same goes for Scannell who's also eligible for this.

he really is a young startlet then!

from the rules and regulations - http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/384242.pdf -

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Players are eligible to play in the 2007/08 UEFA U-19 European Championships if they were born on or after 1 January 1989

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So McCarthy is certainly eligible, but I think the FAI have moved him into the U-21 pool of players.
Presumably Clifford is the captain?

Also John Rooney, James Wallace (who's sat on the bench for Everton a few times this season) and Donal McDermott are missing from the squad

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Players are eligible to play in the 2007/08 UEFA U-19 European Championships if they were born on or after 1 January 1989

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Well then there's a lot more in the U21s eligible for this group. I was looking at 1990 players.

The Galway keeper - is this the lad "signed" from Salthill Devon, where there are matters regarding the transfer/deal being investigated?

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

McCarthy's with the U12s now. Same goes for Scannell who's also eligible for this.

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They'll know all about it next year when they go up to U14s.

:)

go on conor mate.. make us proud

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Originally Posted by pateen

Just two home based players. The FAI should really be aiming to turn this around in the future.

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Why should they? The manager is their to pick the best players, whether they play in Ireland, Britain or wherever. If anything, the opposite has seemed to be the case in recent years with more home based players been in under age squads than there was in previous years.

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Originally Posted by DRDoc

The Galway keeper - is this the lad "signed" from Salthill Devon...

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Yes, that's him.

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Danny Kelly (Norwich City), CB/FW

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This lad looks interesting. Can play up front or at centre back.
Kelly treble fires City youngsters

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Danny [COLOR=black]Kelly[/COLOR] a center back who Roeder and his staff think is going to be the next Chris Sutton playing up front when everyone else can see he is a center back

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From a messageboard.
Thats the Gary Doherty effect.

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Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Why should they? The manager is their to pick the best players, whether they play in Ireland, Britain or wherever. If anything, the opposite has seemed to be the case in recent years with more home based players been in under age squads than there was in previous years

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I think he meant in terms of developing players, rather than picking players based on where they play their football

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Lanre Oyebanjo (Histon), CB

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you don't get too many players from English non league playing for Ireland at any level...

Battling Irish defeat Malta in UEFA Championship qualifier

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Republic of Ireland 2-0 Malta The Republic of Ireland U19 side produced a professional performance in this morning's UEFA Championship qualifier against a resilient Malta side at the Centenary Stadium in Ta'Qali. Goals from Niall McArdle and Paul Murphy give the Irish a massive boost in their quest for qualification to the UEFA Championship finals in Ukraine next summer.

FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW

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Good win for the U19s. McCaffrey said beforehand that this game was probably the key to qualifying. We have to expect to defeat Liechtenstein, leaving a game for top spot against the French.

I was following this on livescores.net, was 0-0 until about the 70th minute (got called into a meeting and missed the end of the game)

Excellent news. That should be qualification sorted anyway.

It is great news but don't want to get too excited about a win over Malta at U19 but given our U17s were knocked out by Luxembourg we'll take it.

Qualification for the next phase is almost certain now however then it will be 1 from 4 to go to the finals.

It would be nice to top the group now.

France beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in the other group game - http://www.uefa.com/competitions/und...144/index.html - so a win VS Liechtenstein on Sunday afternoon should see us though to the elite round

Still 0-0 against Liechtenstein, 35 minutes gone

0 - 0 Half-time

1-0 to Ireland, 85th minute, no idea on the goalscorer yet

Finished 1-0, sending off for Ireland in the last minute as well
Should be enough to get through to the Elite Phase

It was Conor Clifford who scored, and James Collins who was sent off
report on fai.ie here: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=3830

Through to the elite phase, but 2-0 over Malta, and 1-0 over Liechtenstein aren't convincing wins

This is a bit better. A defeat yes, but Ireland seemed to be the better team until the sending off. A missed opportunity to be a first seed in the next phase however.


France 2-0 Republic of Ireland

Irish U19 manager, Sean McCaffrey today hailed his players for a tough, spirited performance after his side were defeated by France with two late goals in the final game of the UEFA Championship, first qualifying phase. As both sides had already sealed their passage to the next round, the prize at stake was top spot in group 4 coupled with a 1st seed place in the elite qualifying phase draw which takes place next week.

With only 12 fully-fit players available, McCaffrey shuffled his team from the start and moved Irish captain, Danny Kelly from his usual defensive role to striker, up front alongside Ipswich striker, Paul Murphy who played just in front of the midfield. The Irish dominated proceedings for much of the first half but when Irish midfielder, Aaron Doran was sent off for his second yellow card after 70 minutes, France used their numerical advantage to score late on in the 78th and 84th minute.

The new-look Irish team started the game very brightly and they had a number of chances to open the scoring early-on. In the 22nd minute, Irish captain, Danny Kelly closed down French defender, Clevid as he carried the ball out of defence and Kelly played the ball through to Aaron Doran behind the last defender but his first touch was too strong and Abdoulaye in France’s goal was quick off his line to smother the ball before Doran connected.

Ireland caught the French defenders napping once again after 33 minutes when Gavin Gunning played a clever through ball to Kelly who raced towards goal with just the keeper to beat, French defender, Clevid was quick to recover but seemed to clip the heels of Kelly just outside the area before Abdoulaye came to collect the ball inside the box. The Irish were winning the key midfield battle during the first half with Doran, O’Connor, Morrissey and Towell all playing a starring role, limiting France to nothing more than long distance shots for large periods.

The second half started with the same high intensity as the first as France went in search of the elusive opener, they were almost rewarded after 60 minutes when Stade Rennais star, Brehimi dribbled his way into the Irish six-yard box and placed his shot low down which Galway’s Ger Hanley managed to hold.

The turning point of the game arrived after 71 minutes when Aaron Doran was sent-off for his second yellow card for diving. He had dribbled his way into the box from the left wing and under the presence of two defenders, felt that he should have been awarded a penalty but instead he faced the referees wrath as he was shown his second yellow of the game.

France used their numerical advantage almost instantly as they enjoyed long periods of pressure in the final third of the pitch and their opening goal arrived in the 79th minute when Yacine Brahimi collected the ball from 20 yards out and unleashed a powerful shot with his weaker left foot which curled into the top right hand corner, giving Ger Hanley no hope in Ireland’s goal.

The French could have scored more but for the immense goalkeeping of Ger Hanley and the defence of Oyebanjo, Connolly, McArdle and McCrory who came on for the injured Gunning. Hanley produced an unbelievable save from Brahimi once again as he played a one-two with Herve in the box and he rifled his shot towards goal from point blank range which Hanley pushed onto the crossbar and Oyebanjo was on hand to block the resulting rebound from the lurking Brahimi.

The game was over from an Irish perspective in the 84th minute, Ryan Boudebouz created space for himself to cross from the left and his delivery found Stade Rennais striker, Damien Le Tallec who guided his header into the back of the net from 5 yards.

Despite losing the game to two late goals, Irish manager, McCaffrey was delighted with his sides performance, “I thought we were fantastic today, we had two really tricky opening games and with our injuries and suspensions, it was always going to be difficult against one of the top sides in Europe. Our first half was tremendous and the French couldn’t have heard the half-time whistle soon enough. Obviously, it was a loss when Aaron (Doran) was sent off but we were always a danger to the French who were incredibly strong in attack but slightly vulnerable in defence which I think we exploited,” said McCaffrey.

“We now look forward to the elite qualifying draw which takes place next week with great anticipation. Remember there are nine players in this squad who are eligible for next year. The experience they have gleaned from this group is priceless while we have a number of players who were injured for this phase so I am looking forward to the competition for places for the next qualification phase which takes place early next year,” added McCaffrey.

Republic of Ireland v France
Gerard Hanley - Galway United
Lanre Oyebanjo - Histon
Gavin Gunning - Blackburn Rovers
Mark Connolly – Wolves
Niall McArdle - Sunderland
Richie Towell - Celtic
Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers
Shane O’Connor - Liverpool
Gearoid Morrissey - Blackburn Rovers
Paul Murphy - Ipswich Town
Danny Kelly - Norwich City

Substitutes
Kieron Thorp - Crystal Palace
Jamie Devitt - Hull City (on for Towell, 87 mins)
Ian Daly - Manchester City
Damien McCrory - Plymouth Argyle (on for Gunning, 44 mins)
Paddy Madden – Bohemians (On for Murphy, 84 mins)

UEFA Championship first qualifying phase results
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Malta
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Liechtenstein
France 2-0 Republic of Ireland