The only team to win all six of their Qualifying games - across two rounds - Ireland are ready for their Group B opener against Norway on Monday, 15 July.

Head Coach Tom Mohan (pictured above) knows how difficult the task will be to advance from a group that also contains France and Czech Republic, but he is upbeat about his team's chances.

Manchester United's Lee O'Connor returns to the squad having missed the Elite Round and will be captain, while four players included ply their trade in the SSE Airtricity League with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic respectively. 

There are also first call-ups at this level for three players (Andrew Omobamidele, Joe Hodge, Matt Everitt) who featured in this summer's Under-17 European Championships in Dublin.

Mohan had delayed confirming his squad as talks were still on-going over the availability of certain players, but it was confirmed that many of those will be involved with their respective club's first team in pre-season.

"It has taken a lot of hard work from the players and the staff to reach this stage - the European Championships," said Mohan.

"Last year, we set ourselves the target of qualifying for this tournament and after six games, winning each of them, we achieved that. So we know that we deserve to be here in Armenia.

"We are without 11 potential players - only one of which is injured - because this tournament falls outside a FIFA international window and clubs are not obliged to release their players. All of the players who were unavailable have been promoted to their respective senior teams at club level and we wish them the very best of luck as they advance in their careers.

"It is the nature of international football that you have to react to set-backs in a very short time period in order to get results. We did just that in our Elite Round qualifiers, when four players were promoted to the Under-21 set-up and another got injured before we left for Russia. Yet, the players raised their level of performance and achieved what we set out to accomplish: qualification to the finals tournament.

"Although it is frustrating to be without so many players, I am both relieved and delighted to have the group of players that we now have in camp. We have really good players in this squad and they impressed in a training camp in the FAI National Training Centre and again at QPR's Academy. So we have a group of players who are in a positive mindset and keen to make the most of this opportunity.

"This challenge, however, is somewhat different as it is the top eight teams in Europe battling it out. We have done our homework on each of the teams and know what to expect from them. But if there is anything that this campaign has taught me it is never to doubt the fighting spirit, ability to play under pressure and fantastic attitude - and that is something which was evident across all six of our qualifiers which we won."

The spotlight may be burning a little brighter as Ireland prepare to enter into this tournament for only the third time (since it was regraded at Under-19 level) with RTÉ2 committed to broadcasting all of their games live.

The opportunity for the Irish public to see these talented Irish youngsters on the European stage is one that Mohan feels that they deserve and will relish.

"We have a lot of very good players who are technically comfortable on the ball and capable of being both creative & clinical in front of goal. Defensively, we have a strong core and we move forward as a team. So, if we can play as a team then we have a fantastic chance of picking up results in this tournament," stated Mohan.

"I would like to commend my coaching staff and backroom team, who did a fantastic job during the qualifying campaign and have been key to preparing the players for this tournament. There is a great togetherness within the squad - players & staff - and that could be a big factor for us.

"It is hugely exciting to have this opportunity to compete against Europe's elite and for the players to show what they can do. We are looking forward to getting started on Monday against Norway."

Sligo Rovers midfielder Niall Morahan will link up with the squad on Friday.

Republic of Ireland Under-19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (St Patrick's Athletic), George McMahon (Burnley)
Defenders: Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Mark McGuinness (Arsenal), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Jack James (Unattached), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Ciaran Brennan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Midfielders: Joe Hodge (Manchester City), Lee O'Connor (Manchester United), Barry Coffey (Celtic), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday)
Forwards: Jonathan Afolabi (Unattached), Ali Reghba (Leicester City), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa), Matt Everitt (Brighton & Hove Albion), Festy Ebosele (Derby County)

Republic of Ireland Under-19 Staff
Head Coach: Tom Mohan
Assistant Coaches: Mick Neville, Colin Healy
Goalkeeping Coach: Dermot O'Neill
Performance Analyst: Martin Doyle
Opposition Analysts: Mickey Feeney, Mark Scanlon
Team Doctor: Andrew Delany
Team Physio: Michael Spillane
Team Masseuse: Mickey McGlynn
Team Operations: Mark MacNamee
Equipment Manager: John Crudden
Head of Delegation: Joe O'Brien
Media Officer: Gareth Maher

UEFA European Under-19 Championship - Group B
Monday, 15 July: Republic of Ireland v Norway, Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, KO 15:45 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2
Thursday, 18 July: Republic of Ireland v France, Banats Stadium, Yerevan, KO 18:00 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2
Sunday, 21 July: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, KO 18:00 (Irish Time) - Live on RTÉ2

Tournament Information
- Two groups of four teams will compete for the four Semi-Final spots on offer
- Group A consists of Armenia, Italy, Spain, and reigning champions Portugal
- The Semi-Finals will be played on 24 July, with the Final being staged on 27 July
- This is the 18th edition of this tournament (68th if Under-18 & Junior eras included)

How Ireland Qualified
Qualifying Round
10 October, 2018: Republic of Ireland 3-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
13 October, 2018: Republic of Ireland 3-0 Faroe Islands
16 October, 2018: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Netherlands

Elite Round
20 March, 2019: Republic of Ireland 5-0 Romania
23 March, 2019: Republic of Ireland 3-1 Azerbaijan
26 March, 2019: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Russia