The Republic of Ireland Amateur International Team take on the Basque Region in Bilbao today in preparation for the Regions Cup 2023 with Manager Gerry Davis looking forward to the challenge ahead of the tournament opener in June.

The friendly will take place later today at Estadio de Lasesarre in Barakaldo at 19:30 CET.

Ireland will be using the game as preparation for the Regions Cup this June which will be held in Galicia, Spain where they will face Galicia (ESP, hosts), Bavaria (GER), Zenica-Doboj (BIH).

Jack Funge, Conor Coughlan, Ewan Lee, Alan McGreal and Lee Delaney have all received their first call-ups to the Ireland Amateur International team.

“It’s a really good game to have and has been brilliant to have been welcomed by the Basque Federation at Athletic Club Bilbao’s training ground which has been second to none,” Davis said.

“The Basques were beaten in the Regions Cup qualifiers 3-2 by Galicia and that was the closest game they had so they will be strong and they have a great history in the Regions Cup as well as with Ireland. It will be a really good test for us,” he added.

With places still up for grabs ahead of the squad announcement before the tournament in June, Davis believes this camp is a perfect opportunity for players to help stake their claim for a seat on the plane to Galicia.

“There’s a few that aren’t here that will be included again but as I said to the 20 players here that it is an opportunity for them to make it difficult for me and the staff to pick the squad bringing great competition for places,” he said.

“We’re looking for a performance first of all but we’re looking to see what players have picked up from us as it’s a different setting and scenario completely and there’s a lot of information for the players to take on which can be difficult.

“But the players have been fantastic so far and that’s what we look for that they buy into what we’re doing, they learn and they bring that into the pitch and give us the performance we’re looking for,” Davis concluded.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Brendan O Connell (Rockmount), Gary Cunningham (Westport United)
Defenders: Glen Daly (Malahide United), Jack McMullen (Home Farm), Lee McColgan (Cockhill Celtic), Ewin Lee (Ringmahon Rangers), Jack Funge (Crumlin United), Lee Delaney (Evergreen), Adam Conway (Villa FC)

Midfielders: Stephen Chambers (Killester Donnycarney), Aaron Humphries – (Kilbarrack United), Nathan Broderick – (Rockmount), Luke Casey (Rockmount), Conor Coughlan (Fairview Rangers), Danny Ahearne (Rockmount), Alan McGreal (Crumlin United)

Forwards: Eoin Murphy (Rockmount), Simon Falvey (UCC), Jimmy McHugh (Oliver Bond Celtic), Jordan Buckley (Usher Celtic)