PDA

View Full Version : International Challenge Trophy

Dub13
26-10-2007, 09:57 AM
[Fenlon to announce squad for International Challenge Trophy

Republic of Ireland Under-23 manager Pat Fenlon will announce his squad for the inaugural International Challenge Trophy next Tuesday, October 30th.

The International Challenge Trophy is an Under-23 tournament that also includes England, Italy, Wales, Finland, Belgium, Slovakia and Northern Ireland. It will be played on a group basis over the next 18 months, with the winner of each group contesting the final.

The Republic of Ireland will kick-off their campaign against Slovakia in Dalymount Park on November 13th (kick-off 7.45pm). Fenlon’s squad will then play Northern Ireland away in the spring and complete the group stage next autumn at home to Belgium.

The Republic of Ireland squad will consist entirely of eircom League of Ireland players, which represents an exciting new opportunity for the league’s top young players to test themselves against European opposition.

Manager Pat Fenlon and Assistant Manager Alan Matthews will announce the Republic of Ireland squad on Tuesday in the O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel, which is located on Fenian Street just a short distance from Merrion Square.

This is a good idea,I hope the lads do well.
fitzpatrickgary
26-10-2007, 10:12 AM
better chance of these players being spotted by a scout
Fowler's God
26-10-2007, 10:19 AM
Very good idea why don't they do something like this at all underage levels.
Dub13
26-10-2007, 10:26 AM
better chance of these players being spotted by a scout


Thats what I was thinking.It's not our best young players, it's the young players who haven't been good enough to secure a contract in England.
sean
26-10-2007, 04:55 PM
Fantastic idea this, hope that it attracts decent crowds as well.
Dub13
30-10-2007, 06:42 PM
The Republic of Ireland Under-23 squads will consist entirely of eircom League of Ireland players, which represents an exciting new opportunity for the league’s top young players to test themselves against European opposition. The squad named for the match against Slovakia includes players from ten eircom League of Ireland clubs, which shows the strength across the league.

Pat Fenlon said: “It is a huge honour for me to be given the opportunity to manage the Republic of Ireland Under-23 side. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the players to represent their country. We have a very strong squad and that shows the quality that is in the eircom League of Ireland.”

Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad

Barry Murphy - Shamrock Rovers
Darren Quigley - UCD
Gavin Peers - Sligo Rovers
Conor Kenna - UCD
Conor Powell - Bohemians
Seamus Coleman - Sligo Rovers
Ger O’Brien - Shamrock Rovers
Darren Murphy - Cork City
Sean Kelly - Cork City
Kevin Deery - Derry City
Cillian Brennan - Derry City
Paul Keegan - Drogheda United
John Paul Kelly - Bohemians
Stephen O’Donnell - Bohemians
Stephen Bradley - Drogheda United
Stephen Rice - Bohemians
Patrick Kavanagh - Bray Wanderers
Conor Sammon - UCD
Denis Behan - Cork City
David Mooney - Longford Town
Mark Quigley - St. Patrick’s Athletic
Ger Rowe - Shamrock Rovers
__________________
sean
30-10-2007, 09:33 PM
Great to see such a spread of talent from the various clubs in the league. Think I'll definitely be heading down to this one seeing as its going to be a barren week of football otherwise with the build-up for internationals taking place at the time.
liverbird!!
31-10-2007, 07:55 AM
Best thing to ha[ppen in years! Now people should support them.
Bren100
31-10-2007, 01:16 PM
Denis Behan is on fire at the moment for Cork City, he scored 10 goals in 7 games against Bray two weekend's ago. Not bad going!!
Bren100
31-10-2007, 01:27 PM
I agree it is a great decision to have an EL players select, however being an international competition will it have any bearing on any of these players progressing into the senior squad?

What I mean is, taking Denis Behan for example, if Denis continues his scoring spree into this tournament, with the likes of Keane drawing blanks against the bigger teams (taking he is not capt. anymore), do you believe that the likes of Behan would be given a chance on the senior squad, no matter who takes the managerial post?
RedMurph08
31-10-2007, 01:32 PM
Denis Behan is on fire at the moment for Cork City, he scored 10 goals in 7 games against Bray two weekend's ago. Not bad going!!

Why did they play Bray 7 times in 1 weekend? lol :confused:
Bren100
31-10-2007, 01:48 PM
Why did they play Bray 7 times in 1 weekend? lol :confused:


Not all 7 games were against Bray ... let me put a comma in there.

He scored 10 goals in 7 games, against Bray ....
:D