Corcoran in Irish squad for Turkish games

Jimmy Corcoran looks set to gain more experience on the international stage as he is part of the Republic of Ireland u-17 squad for two friendly games against Turkey. The first of those games takes place this evening at Tallaght Stadium, 7pm while the second will kick-off on Thursday, 1pm, also at the same venue.  

Corcoran who is from Drumbaragh, shot to fame last May when he was sent off after stepping away from the goal-line during a penalty shoot-out in an u-17 European Championship tie against Holland. Corcoran was booked earlier in the game but there was general astonishment throughout the football community when the referee imposed the rarely-used sanction of booking Corcoran for stepping off the line for a penalty which he had saved. The decision incensed Irish senior manager Martin O'Neill who was watching the game in the stands.

Irish head coach Colin O'Brien has again included Corcoran in the squad for the Turkish games giving the youngsters, who is currently with Preston North End, a chance to add to his collection of caps. 

Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien giving instructions to his players. 

The two matches against Turkey come at the start of a crucial season for O'Brien's side, that culminates in the hosting of the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championships next May.

O'Brien's squad includes a number of the players from last year's winning Victory Shield side, and he is looking forward to working with the group.

"We've been working with this group since July, and had a training camp in August. These games will be full of opportunities for players and to see how they cope at international level."

With qualification already assured for next year's European Championships, O'Brien wants the team to face a high level of opposition as regularly as possible.

"Turkey will always bring a high level of opposition. We played them regularly over the past number of years. These games are preparation games, but there will always be that level of intensity to them."

Republic of Ireland u-17 squad
Gavin Bazunu (Shamrock Rovers), Darragh Burns (St. Patrick's Athletic), Conor Carty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Thomas Considine (Bohemians), Kyle Conway (St. Patrick's Athletic), Jimmy Corcoran (Preston North End), Zak Delaney (West Bromwich Albion), Alex Dunne (Shamrock Rovers), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Matt Everitt (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Funge (Bohemians), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers), Leo Gaxha (Sheffield United), Joshua Giurgi (Norwich City), Brandon Holt (St. Patrick's Atlhetic), Cian Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Seamas Keogh (Southampton), Timi Sobowale (Manchester City), Luke Turner (Aberdeen)