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Ireland will open their campaign against Romania at Dalymount Park in Dublin on Monday, March 27th. Two days later they face Israel at Richmond Park and conclude the group with a game against Serbia & Montenegro in Tolka Park on Friday, March 31st. All of the games featuring Ireland will kick off at 7pm.
The Republic of Ireland will be looking to build on their recent success in last month’s Algarve quadrangular tournament where the Irish finished as runners-up in a group which included France, Holland and Portugal.
Nottingham Forest trainee, Shane Redmond, returns to the squad after some impressive displays in the Algarve where he was named goalkeeper of the tournament after conceding just one goal.
Manchester City and Glasgow Celtic have the highest representation within the squad, with three players from each club selected. City’s exciting winger Donal McDermott was Ireland’s star performer last September as they negotiated their way through the preliminary qualifying phase in Kiev.
The Republic of Ireland eased through that stage of the UEFA Championship in Ukraine in a group which included Italy, Latvia and hosts Ukraine. After an impressive 2-1 win over Ukraine, Ireland drew 2-2 with Italy and completed their group with a 2-0 victory against Latvia.
McDermott’s progress since then at club and International level has been halted through injury but it is expected he will have his match fitness regained by the time Ireland begin their three matches on Monday week.
Another player to catch the eye this season for Ireland has been Tottenham Hotspur striker Terry Dixon. Like McDermott, he has suffered his share of injuries this term but has displayed a knack for scoring crucial goals for the Republic.
McCaffrey’s options in attack are strengthened further by the inclusion in the squad of Manchester United centre-forward Christy Fagan. The Dubliner was side-lined last month with an injury but has made a swift recovery to score for United’s Under 18 side last Saturday in their win over the Leeds United Academy.
Belvedere striker Cillian Sheridan and Corie Treacy of Cherry Orchard are the two home-based players included in the panel. West Ham full-back Lorcan Fitzgerald will captain the squad.
This Elite phase consists of seven groups of four teams, with the winner of each group joining the hosts, Luxembourg for the final tournament in May.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Shane Redmond (Nottingham Forest)
Andrew Callaghan (Millwall)
Lorcan Fitzgerald (West Ham United)
Gavin Donoghue (Sunderland)
Garry Breen (Manchester City)
Michael Spillane (Norwich City)
Paul Cahillane (Glasgow Celtic)
Graham Carey (Glasgow Celtic)
Cillian Sheridan (Belvedere)
Terry Dixon (Tottenham Hotspur)
Donal McDermott (Manchester City)
Corie Treacy (Cherry Orchard)
Harry Arter (Charlton Athletic)
Shane Lowry (Aston Villa)
Michael Daly (Manchester City)
Paul Skinner (Glasgow Celtic)
Tom Lyons (Crystal Palace)
Christy Fagan (Manchester United)
Manager
Sean McCaffrey
Monday 27th March
Serbia & Montenegro v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Kick-off 2.30 pm
Republic of Ireland v Romania
Dalymount Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Wednesday 29th March
Serbia & Montenegro v Romania
Belfield Park, UCD, Kick-Off 2.30 pm
Israel v Republic of Ireland
Richmond Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Friday 31st March
Republic of Ireland v Serbia & Montenegro
Tolka Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm
Romania v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Kick-off 7.00 pm
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