Peers and Coleman make under 23 International squad

Congratulations to Gavin Peers and Seamus Coleman, two of Rovers most consistent performers this season, who have been called up to the inaugural under 23 Irish International squad, managed by Pat Fenlon.  courtesy of www.fai.ie

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 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