Meath players could feature in uefa u21 qualifying action

A number of Meath players including recent Ipswich Town recruit Dylan Connolly (pictured) and Athboy's Jamie McGrath could be bidding for places in Noel King's Republic of Ireland u-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA Championships following today's draw.

The Republic of Ireland will play Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Andorra in the qualifying group starting next month.

Italy have won this competition more often than any other nation – five times – while Serbia were champions once previously and won the UEFA U19 Championships in 2013 with the squad who will compete in this qualifying round.

“It’s obviously a tough draw because Serbia are European champions at the 1994 age group so the second seed is as strong as any top seed. Italy will always be at top seed level,” said King.

“We took four points from six with Italy when we played them with the 1990 age-group so it shows we can take points from them but I’m sure they’ll be just as aware of that fact as we are,' he added.

The finals will take place in Poland in 2017 and Ireland will host their opening fixture at home to Andorra on Thursday, 26th March next with the venue to be confirmed in the coming days.

FIXTURES
Thursday, 26th March 2015
Republic of Ireland v Andorra
Tuesday, 8th September 2015
Andorra v Republic of Ireland
Friday, 9th October 2015
Republic of Ireland v Lithuania
Tuesday, 13th October 2015
Italy v Republic of Ireland
Friday, 13th November 2015
Lithuania v Republic of Ireland
Thursday, 24th March 2016
Republic of Ireland v Italy
Monday, 28th March 2016
Slovenia v Republic of Ireland
Friday, 2nd September 2016
Republic of Ireland v Slovenia
Tuesday, 6th September 2016
Serbia v Republic of Ireland
Friday, 7th October 2016
Republic of Ireland v Serbia