Cork trio Idah, O'Reilly and Wright backbone Ireland in Euro quarter-final against the Dutch

IRELAND's U17 team in action on Monday night against the Netherlands in the European Championship quarter-final will be back-boned by three Cork players.

Adam Idah, Adam O'Reilly and Tyreik Wright will all be key players for Colin O'Brien's side tonight in Chesterfield at 7pm, in a game that is being televised live by RTE.

It is the second year in succession Ireland have made the quarter-final stage, with O’Brien’s side going down 1-0 to eventual U17 World Champions, England, at this stage in Croatia last May.

“Preparations have gone well," Bishopstown native O'Brien said. 

"We’ve had two days since the last group game. The day after was very much recovery. Post game, we moved base (to St George’s Park) and that freshened everything up. 

"We trained this morning and everyone is ready and looking forward to the game against the Dutch.” 

Netherlands come into the game having topped Group D with three wins from three, with O’Brien knowing his opponents come into the game in fine form.

“They are a top class outfit,” said the ex-Cork City midfielder. "Already in the tournament they are scoring goals, they haven’t conceded and have beaten two top tier teams in Spain and Germany. 

"They’ll be full of confidence so we’ll have to have our plan. It will be an 80 or 84 minute game and we’ll make sure we give it our very best.

“It is knock out football now, we’re very aware of that. 

"That will throw up a few different situations no doubt tonight. But, it’s a great position to be in, already it is a fantastic achievement and we’ve got to make sure we leave everything on the pitch tonight,” O’Brien added.