Ireland Men’s Under-17s Head Coach Colin O’Brien has named a 20-man squad for their U17 EURO Elite Round Qualifiers in Portugal next week.

Ireland come up against the Portuguese, Germany and Croatia in Group 5 as they look to reach a second consecutive European Championships.

Fans looking to watch the qualifiers can do so on the FAI’s Official YouTube Channel youtube.com/FAITV

Fifteen players in the squad play in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy one of which is Bohemians’ goalkeeper Joe Collins.

Speaking ahead of the qualifiers Joe said:  “Obviously anyone looking at that group will see it’s a tough but for us we have to focus on our own game and not rely on other countries.  I think if we get off to a positive start it will certainly show we’ve nothing to fear.”

Five of the squad were part of Colin O’Brien’s squad who reached the finals in Hungary last year, Joe added: “A good few of us were at the U17 EURO finals last year and we know what it means to get there and so it’s good for us to speak to the lads who weren’t there and talk them through the importance of the games. It was a great experience last year and as a group it will be our aim to go again.”

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s Squad 

Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bohemians), Oisin Cooney (Finn Harps)

Defenders: Luca Cailloce (Shelbourne), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford), Taylor McCarthy (Shelbourne), Harry McGlinchey (Chelsea), James Roche (Shamrock Rovers), Finn Sherlock (Shelbourne), Egor Vassenin (Klub Kildare)

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Blackburn Rovers), Niall McAndrew (Derby County), Matthew Moore (Hoffenheim), Luke O’Donnell (Derry City), Cathal O’Sullivan (Cork City), Aaron Ochoa Moloney (Malaga)

Forwards: Kyle Fitzgerald (Galway United), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic),  Matt Murray (Cork City), Michael Noonan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Jaden Umeh (Cork City),

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Qualifiers – Group 5

Wednesday, March 20 |. Portugal MU17 v Ireland MU17, Cidade Desportiva do SC Braga, Portugal, KO 4pm

Saturday, March 23 | Germany MU17 v Ireland MU17, Dr. José Matos, Viana Castelo, Portugal,  KO 11am

Tuesday, March 26 | Ireland MU17 v Croatia MU17, Dr. José Matos, Viana Castelo, Portugal, KO 11am