Under 21 squad

[patsh]

from the IT
Givens names two newcomers in squad


Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Don Givens has named two newcomers in his squad for upcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers against Georgia and Albania at the end of the month.

Shrewsbury Town's Luke Rogers and Kevin O'Connor of Brentford will join up with the 18 squad members who faced Scotland last month.

Givens watched Rogers in action against Carlisle at the start of the month and was impressed with the young midfielder. However, his inclusion in the squad depends on his application being processed in time.

"All the necessary paperwork has been completed and it is now a question of just waiting to see if the player can get his passport in time for him to travel," explained Givens.

Rogers is looking forward to mixing it with the "best players in my age group" and admitted the opportunity was a "great challenge."

Kevin O'Connor, whose mother hails from Mayo, has been a regular in Brentford's starting line-up over the last two seasons and has netted eight goals this season. Givens could deploy the 21-year-old upfront although the Blackburn-born youngster is equally at home on the right flank. Unlike Rogers, there is no red tape holding O'Connor back as his application is already processed.

Givens is boosted by the inclusion of Drogheda native Sean Thornton. The Sunderland star had been named in Gerry Smith's under-20 squad for the World Youth Chamionships but is now in line for a staring role in Givens' immediate plans following last week's postponement of the championships.

Shelbourne's Wesley Houlihan once again represents the eircom League and will look to add to his four caps at this level.

Dunfermline striker Noel Hunt - an unused substitute in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Scotland - hopes to cap off a fine month with a start in Tblisi after recently being voted Player of the Year at former club Shamrock Rovers.

Georgia, like Ireland, have lost their two opening group games and host Givens' side in Tbilisi on Friday, March 28th while a trip to Albania beckons for the Irish on Tuesday, April 1st.


IRELAND: Joe Murphy (West Bromwich Albion), Graham Stack (Arsenal - on loan to Beveren) , Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United) Jim Goodwin (Stockport County) John Thompson (Nottingham Forest) Clifford Byrne (Sunderland) Thomas Butler (Sunderland) Stephen Paisley (Manchester City) Paul Tierney (Manchester Utd - on loan to Crewe Alex) Gary Dempsey (Dunfermline) Liam Miller (Celtic) J. J. Melligan (Kidderminster) Sean Thornton (Sunderland) Jonathon Daly (Stockport County) Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest) Graham Barrett (Arsenal - on loan to Brighton) Wesley Hoolahan (Shelbourne) Noel Hunt (Dunfermline) Kevin O'Connor (Brentford) Luke Rogers (Shrewsbury Town)

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For f*cks sake, nothing personal, but J. J. Melligan (Kidderminster) ???
Is he better than all the possible eL players?
What division do Kidderminster play in?
Whats the bet that Mr. Givens travels the length and breadth of the UK scouring for Irish players, yet rarely, if ever, goes to an eL game?
I think this is BS.

[pete]

Yeah while noticed Melligans name on ceefax the odd time i would suspect he not exactely a prolific striker.

Rogers sounds like a great granny aquisition again but lets hope not.

No stars in that squad anyway & even Barrett with his irish senior cap scored something like the grand total of 2 goals in 18 odd games for Brighton.

[Badweather Fan]

Ou est John?