Doolin names Ireland U19 squad
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Republic of Ireland U19 Head Coach Paul Doolin has named his squad for the forthcoming friendly internationals against Norway.
The Irish will meet the Norwegians at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray, on Tuesday August 13 (7.00pm) and in UCD on Thursday August 15 (1.00pm).
Doolin led the Ireland U19s to an unbeaten run of ten games last season and they only missed out on a place at the finals tournament after being held to a scoreless draw by eventual winners Serbia in the elite qualifying round.
"Last year's campaign when you go unbeaten in ten games and then see Serbia winning the UEFA U19s after we drew with them it has to be encouraging," said Doolin.
"We've a few guys in this year's squad who played last year. Not to lose in ten internationals was fantastic.
"It's a start of another campaign for us. The U19s is about getting results so we're hoping we'll get a good squad and good group mentality.
"Unfortunately you may not have a squad for very long depending on the first phase so it's important you get off to a good start."
Doolin worked with several of the latest crop of players in two under-18 friendlies against Switzerland last year but has drafted in some new faces for the campaign ahead.
"We had a look at a lot of the lads last year against Switzerland last year. The important thing is to get a squad together that will get us out of the group in October," he said.
"I haven't worked with a few of them before like Eoghan O'Connell, Kristian Scott and Alan Browne."
Scott is an English-born midfielder who has played some friendly international games for the USA as he is eligible for a number of countries. His grandmother is Irish and Doolin is hopeful that the Stoke City player will commit to Ireland in the long term.
"I've seen Kristian Scott play a couple of times. He's a good midfielder. I felt that section of the squad I wanted to have a look at a few different options. His grandmother is Irish so hopefully he'll enjoy his time with us and that he'll want to play for us. It's important when players come into the group they want to stay," he said.
"Alan Browne played very well with Cork City U19s last year and with the home-based U18s squad that played Wales last year. So he's another player I'm looking forward to working with."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U19 SQUAD
Eric Grimes (Leeds Utd FC)
Shane Fagan (Shamrock Rovers FC)
Noe Baba (Fulham FC)
Seán Long (Reading FC)
Kyle McFadden (Norwich City FC)
Ryan McConnell (Manchester United FC)
Evan Finnegan (Doncaster Rovers FC)
Kristian Scott (Stoke City FC)
Alan Browne (Cork City FC)
Jack Byrne (Manchester City FC)
Jake Mulraney (Nottingham Forest FC)
Adam Wixted (Derby County FC)
Sam Byrne (Manchester Utd FC)
Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers FC)
Alex O'Hanlon (Liverpool FC)
Cody Mulhall (Hibernian FC)
Eoghan O'Connell (Celtic FC)
Dean O'Halloran (Fulham FC)
