Republic of Ireland Men's Under-16s Head Coach Paul Osam will lead a squad of 20 players to Malta for a double-header of friendlies in what will be the group’s first taste of international football.

Osam will take charge of an international game for the first time since January 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with his MU16s missing out on a year of football at MU15 level this will be their first experience of the international game.

Included in the squad are EA SPORTS U15 National League of Ireland players of the month for July and August, Trent Kone Doherty of Derry City and Freddie Turley of Shamrock Rovers.

They'll be part of a squad that take on their Maltese opponents on Tuesday (September 21) and again on Thursday (September 23).

Speaking about fixtures, Osam said: “We’re really looking forward to these games – it’s been a long time coming. We’ve played Under-17 National League opposition over the last few months but you can’t beat playing international matches.

“This MU16s group is unique as they haven’t experienced international football before so it will be a different challenge for us to overcome. Malta, like most teams at this age group, will be in a similar situation but the focus will be on what we can do and what questions we can ask of them.

“They will be two good games and all of us are looking forward to them.”

Republic of Ireland Men's Under-16 Squad

Goalkeeper: Jason Healy (Waterford), Ryan Maher (Bohemians)

Defenders: Sean Hayden (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Orlandas Jakas (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Mackey (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Corey O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Eoin Sheeran (Athlone Town), Patryk Sweicka (Cork City)

Midfielders Anthony Dodd (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Michael Golding (Chelsea), Leo Healy (Klub Kildare), Luke Kehir (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Adam O’Halloran (Galway United), Naz Raji (Shamrock Rovers), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers)

Forwards: Aidan Cannon (Celtic), Trent Kone Doherty (Derry City), Brian Moore (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Cian Morling (Brighton and Hove Albion), Nickson Okosun (Bohemians)

International friendly fixtures - (all times are Irish time)

Tuesday, September 21 | Malta MU16 v Republic of Ireland MU16, National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta, KO 10am
Thursday, September 23 | Malta MU16 v Republic of Ireland MU16, National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta, KO 9am