Ireland Men’s Under-19s will head to Albania next week for round one of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifiers.

Head Coach Tom Mohan has named a squad of 20 for the qualifiers which will see Ireland come up against the hosts Albania on Wednesday (November 15), Slovenia (Saturday, November 18) and Belgium (Tuesday, November 21).

Mohan will be looking to make it to the second phase of qualifiers for a third successive time and has prepared for the qualifiers with games against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Scotland and Faroe Islands.

Among the squad is Jake Griffin (Stoke City) who earns his first international call-up with Mohan also calling on Under-21 internationals Adam Murphy and Rocco Vata. Fourteen of the squad currently play in the League of Ireland in addition to Mark O’Mahony, Franco Umeh and Trent Kone-Doherty who have all previously played for LOI clubs.

Speaking ahead of the squad announcement Tom Mohan said: “Our players are coming off the bounce of two victories against Scotland and the Faroe Islands but they know they’re coming up against challenging opponents. Albania are the home team, they’ll be organised and they’ll make it difficult for us as will Slovenia who have a lot threats. Then you have Belgium who have so much quality throughout their teams and are always dangerous.

“It will be a challenge but one we are looking forward to. I think the fact we have so many of our squad getting a lot of minutes and playing first-team football in the League of Ireland is a testament to them, their coaches and their clubs and we hope that quality shines through on the international stage.”

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-19 Squad

Goalkeepers: Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers), Andrew Wogan (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Luke Browne (Shelbourne), James Crawford (Wexford), Jake Griffin (Stoke City), Darius Lipsiuc (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Lewis Temple (Shelbourne), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Sean Moore (West Ham United), James McManus (Bohemians), Adam Murphy (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Cork City), Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers),

Forward: Trent Kone-Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Rocco Vata (Celtic),

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Fixtures (Kick-offs are Irish Standard Time)

Wednesday, November 15 | Albania MU19 v Ireland MU19, Elbasen Arena, Albania, KO 1pm
Saturday, November 18 | Ireland MU19 v Slovenia, Egnatia, Rrogozhine, Albania, KO 10am
Tuesday, November 21 | Belgium MU19 v Ireland MU19, Egnatia, Rrogozhine, Albania, KO 1pm