Republic of Ireland Under-18 manager Sean McCaffrey has named his starting line-up for the first of this week's double-header friendly away to Macedonia at the Ohrid City Stadium this afternoon (4.30pm)
Although there are no competitive fixtures at this age-level, McCaffrey will use today's match and the second instalment on Thursday to assess his players ahead of the 2010/11 Under-19 European Championship which kicks off for Ireland next October when they take on Serbia, Luxembourg and mini-group hosts Bulgaria in the first phase of the qualifying series.
The starting team for today's encounter includes Monaghan-born goalkeeper Aaron McCarey, who was snapped up earlier this season from his hometown club by Wolves, and recently-signed Shamrock Rovers striker Conor Murphy.
There's a first cap at this level for Salthill Devon winger Daryl Horgan, a key member of the victorious Irish Schools squad that defeated England to regain the Centenary Shield less than two weeks ago.
"This is the opportunity for the players to impress and put themselves in contention for the Under-19 UEFA qualifying series later in the year," said McCaffrey.
"We'll certainly get a good workout from Macedonia and it will be interesting to see how our lads fare against such a decent side."
Republic of Ireland U18 team: Aaron McCarey (Wolves); Michael Harriman (QPR), Stephen Folan (Newcastle United), Anthony O'Connor (Blackburn Rovers), Danny Joyce (Reading); Sean Stewart (Belvedere), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Paudie Quinn (Fulham), Daryl Horgan (Salthill Devon); Jordan Keegan (unattached), Conor Murphy (Shamrock Rovers).
Substitutes: Robert Egan (Kilmallock), Joe O`Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Kane Ferdinand (Southend United), Danny Fitzsimons (Milwall), Craig Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), Stephen McDonnell (Dundalk), Shane Murray (Sheffield United), Michael Rafter (Colchester United).
Under-18 Friendly Internationals
Tuesday May 11
Macedonia v Republic of Ireland - Ohrid City Stadium (4.30pm)
Thursday May 13
Macedonia v Republic of Ireland - Ohrid City Stadium (4.30pm).
Address: National Sports Campus, 
