Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s will compete in the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in Hungary next week.

It is the fourth time Colin O’Brien has led an Irish team to the European Championships and it’s Ireland’s first appearance since 2019 when we hosted the tournament.

The MU17s were drawn in Group A with their opening game coming against Poland (Wednesday, May 17) followed by Wales (Saturday, May 20) before their final group game against hosts Hungary (Tuesday, May 23).

Ireland will be based in Budapest for the tournament and come into the competition in good form. This season they have defeated the Netherlands in a friendly via a penalty shootout and came through Round One of qualifiers with a win over Armenia and draws against Belarus and Norway. In the Elite Phase they drew with Italy before beating Ukraine.

It set-up a must-win clash with hosts Cyprus with Ireland securing a 3-2 win thanks to Nickson Oksoun’s 96th minute winner – a goal that sent them to the finals.

The 2023 edition of the U17 EUROs has an added incentive with five spots for the U17 World Cup available. These will go to the four semi-finalists as well as the winner of a play-off between two of the beaten quarter-finalists who hold the best group stage record.

Ireland Men’s Under-17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bohemians), Jason Healy (Waterford)

Defenders: Stanley Ashbee (Hull City), Daniel Babb (UCD), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford FC), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Ade Solanke (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Rhys Bartley (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Luke Kehir (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Matthew Moore (Cork City), Danny McGrath (Bohemians), Taylor Mooney (Bohemians), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers)

Forwards: Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Matthew Murray (Cork City), Ike Orazi (Shamrock Rovers), Nickson Oksoun (Bohemians), Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers)

UEFA U17 European Championship fixtures/key dates (all times are Irish time)

Wednesday, May 17 | Poland MU17 v Ireland MU17, Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium, Budapest, KO 3.30pm

Saturday, May 20 | Ireland MU17 v Wales MU17, Pancho Arena, Felcsút, KO 3.30pm

Tuesday, May 23 | Ireland MU17 v Hungary MU17, Pancho Arena, Felcsút, KO 7pm

Saturday, May 27 | Quarter Finals, venue and KO time TBC

Tuesday, May 30 | Semi Finals,/ FIFA U17 World Cup Play-Off* venue and KO time TBC

Friday, June 2 | Final, venue and KO time TBC

*The two beaten quarter-finalists with the best group stage record will play off for Europe's fifth place at the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup from November 10 to December 2, joining the four semi-finalists.

Where to watch
All games will be shown live on RTÉ

Tickets
Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the games here Ireland U17 EURO tickets

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17 UEFA U17 EURO qualifying results

Round One

Thursday, October 20 | Ireland 4-0 Armenia
Sunday, October 23 | Ireland 2-2 Belarus
Wednesday, October 26 | Norway 1-1 Ireland

Elite Phase
Tuesday, March 7 | Ireland 2-2 Italy
Friday, March 10 | Ireland 3-0 Ukraine
Monday, March 13 | Cyprus 2-3 Ireland

Fact
Colin O’Brien has led Ireland to the quarter finals twice out of the last three tournaments.