Colin O’Brien names two Cork players in Republic of Ireland squad for first-ever U17 World Cup
Jaden Umeh of Cork City evades the tackle of William Armshaw of Treaty United during the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between Cork City and Treaty United at Turner's Cross in Cork. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Colin O’Brien has named his Republic of Ireland squad for their first-ever Under-17 World Cup next month.
Cork City striker Brody Lee and Benfica's Jaden Umeh, who will be hoping to play a starring role for Ireland in the tournament are the two representatives from Leeside in the squad.
The squad fly out to Qatar for the tournament next week with 16 of the 21 players O'Brien has selected coming through the League of Ireland pyramid.
O’Brien, from Bishopstown is boosted with the return of Shamrock Rovers pair Michael Noonan and Victor Ozhianvuna as well as former Shelbourne defender Finn Sherlock.
The trio missed out on warm-up games in Pinatar with Noonan featuring for the Ireland Under-21s squad in the last two international windows.
There is also a place on the plane for 16-year-old Sean Spaight who is named in the squad with his Dundalk teammate Vincent Leonard.
The Dundalk pair are two of seven players from SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division clubs with Corey Sheridan, Josh Cullen and Gavin McAteer representing Finn Harps, Ryan Butler of Wexford and Goodness Ogbonna of UCD.
Ireland have been drawn in Group J along with Panama, Uzbekistan and Paraguay.
The tournament begins on Monday, November 3 with Ireland’s opening game on Wednesday, November 5 against Panama at 12.30pm Irish time.
The young Boys in Green are next in action against Asian opposition in Uzbekistan which will take place 3.45pm on Saturday, November 8.
They then play their final group game against Paraguay on Tuesday, November 11 – kick-off 1.30pm Irish time.
This is the fifth major tournament at this age grade for O’Brien with his squad qualifying for the World Cup following a 2-0 win over Poland and a 5-0 victory over Iceland in the Elite Round of the U17 EURO Qualifiers.
Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Corey Sheridan (Finn Harps).
Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).
Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers).
Forwards: Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Cork City), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Jaden Umeh (SL Benfica).
Wednesday, November 5 Panama vs Ireland, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 12.30pm* Saturday, November 8 Ireland vs Uzbekistan, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 3.45pm* Tuesday, November 11 Ireland vs Paraguay, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 1.30pm*
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