McCaffrey names Irish U17 squad to play in Baku

Manager Sean McCaffrey has named a squad of 18 players for the first phase qualifying series, which runs from September 23 until September 28.

Ireland will play all three of their games in Baku. They open their campaign on Saturday, September 23 against Denmark and also face hosts Azerbaijan on September 25 before concluding the round-robin group against Latvia three days later.

The top two teams in the group qualify for next year's competition proper, which will be staged in Belgium during May 2007.

Two Cork clubs are represented with the inclusion of Wilton United defender Paul Honohan and Douglas Hall goalkeeper Kevin O'Brien.

Liverpool defender Lawrence Gaughan is also included in an Irish squad for the first time. The English-born centre-half qualifies for Ireland through his father, who is from Mayo. He joins Anfield colleagues Michael Collins and Shane O'Connor in the panel.

Norwich City strikers Kurtis Byrne and Kris Renton also make the first appearances in the squad at this level.

Republic of Ireland Under 17 squad:

Kieron Thorp (Charlton Athletic), Kevin O'Brien (Douglas Hall), Gareth Matthews (Norwich City), Adrian Moyles (Brentford FC), David Joyce (Birmingham City), James O'Brien (Birmingham City), Paul Honohan (Wilton United), Lawrence Gaughan (Liverpool), Michael Collins (Liverpool), Shane O'Connor (Liverpool), Mark Nolan (Celtic), Conor McCormack (Manchester United), Joe Collins (Portsmouth), Dean Marshall (Coventry City), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace), Ian Daly (Manchester City), Kurtis Byrne (Norwich City), Kris Renton (Norwich City).

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