Meath boys set for high performance FAI training

Two Meath players who are both goalkeepers have been included in the Republic of Ireland u-15 panel by head coach Jason Donohue for a training camp later this month.

Jimmy Corcoran who played with Kells/Blackwater but is now with Dublin club Cherry Orchard and Aaron Davies from Ratoath have been included.

The Irish coaching staff has watched more than 700 players in recent months as they look to establish a high performance culture with the talented youngsters from across the country as they embark on their international careers.

'Everything we are doing with the players is with a view to instilling a high performance culture with them,' said Donohue.

'The players are filling out nutrition and weekly training load diaries to help explain best practice in preparation for training and games and the importance of avoiding burn out.

'A presentation will be delivered to the players by Dan Horan, Head of Fitness for the FAI international teams, and the u-15 medical team of Karl Fulham and Dr Tom Boyce.  The players also go through Cardiac screening during the camp.

'We will also have a presentation from former international player Keith Andrews on the subject of importance of education while working as a full time professional and also his pathway from schoolboy to full international player.

'As part of the training camp we'll be making various other presentations covering numerous topics including social media use and the players will also be empowered to set their team objectives, code of conduct and guidelines throughout the camp as part of our team-building process.'

The players will be brought into two squads for the camp on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October with games on Monday 31st October against Manchester City (12pm) and Shamrock Rovers (2pm) at the FAI National Training Centre.

A squad of 18 will then be selected to face Poland on Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th November in Lomza in their first internationals.

'Myself and the coaching staff have put in extensive hours in watching games, assessments and planning to get to this stage. We have travelled the country and seen just over 700 players since June and will be visiting each centre of excellence again numerous times throughout the year,' added Donohue.

'It must be stressed that this is very early in the U15 season and players will continue to be monitored while the process towards developing that high performance culture will be ongoing.'

 

SQUAD FOR TRAINING CAMP:

Jimmy Corcoran (Cherry Orchard), Aaron Davies (Ratoath Harps),

Harry Halwax (Leixlip United), Alex Dunne (Belvedere), Tega Agberhiere (Villa FC), Timi Sobawale (Villa FC), Jack Funge (St Kevin's Boys), Cian Kelly (St Joseph's Boys), Brandon Holt (Belvedere), Seamus Keogh (Benbulben Celtic),

Cillian Heaney (Castlebar Celtic), Kian Leavy (St Francis), Sean Kennedy (Tralee Dynamoes), Brian Aherne (Limerick FC), Josh Guirgi (Leixlip United), Conor Carthy (St Francis), Charlie Concannon (Mervue), Adam Maher (Lourdes Celtic),

Enda Minogue (St Joseph's Boys), Sean McEvoy (St Kevin's Boys), James Furlong (St Joseph's Boys), Cormac Moore (St Francis), Alex Rafferty (St Joseph's Boys), Conor Power (East End), Matthew Healy (Corinthian Boys),

Jack Reynolds (Willow Park), Adam Fitzpatrick (Shannon Town), Roland Idowu (St Joseph's Boys), Festy Ebosele (St Joseph's Boys), Sean McGrath (St Brendan's Park), Troy Parrott (Belvedere), Luke Hennessy (Shelbourne), Shane Nealon (Cabinteely), Ronan McKinley (Bonagee Utd).