Corcoran in Irish squad for tournament

Drumbaragh's Jimmy Corcoran has been included on the Republic of Ireland  21-strong squad for this week's u-17 international tournament in Dublin. Ireland start their campaign in the tournament with a game against England at Tallaght Stadium this Thursday, 7pm.  

With qualification already assured as hosts for next year's UEFA u-17 European Championships, the u-17 international tournament serves as preparation for the 2018 finals.

Corcoran, who is with Preston North End,  shot to fame last May when he was controversially sent off during a penalty shoot-out between the Boys in Green and Holland in the quater-final of the u-17 European Championships. Corcoran received a red card for encroaching for penalty kicks taken by Dutch players. HIs dismissal became headline news. 

England and Germany qualified as top seeds for this week's u-17 tournament and received a bye to the Elite Round, while Czech Republic topped Group 8 in the Qualifying Round with three wins from three. Speaking ahead of Thursday's opening game against England, Irish head coach Colin O'Brien revealed the tournament is crucial to the team's build-up to next summer.

"This will be another step-up for the players. The tournament will replicate an Elite Phase, and the players will be playing at a very high level.

"This week will be about gaining more experience in a tournament setup. I want the players to learn from the experiences," O'Brien continued.

Anselmo Garcia MacNulty is called into the squad, after featuring for Paul Osam's u-16 side in September. O'Brien is delighted with the work being done at the u-16 and u-15 age levels.

"There is plenty of work going on at those levels. We are always looking at players from those levels. There are always players that will be challenging for a place in the squad."

Ireland begin their u-17 International Tournament in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening. Kick off is at 7pm. 

All FAI Season Ticket holders can attend the matches for FREE

Republic of Ireland u-17 Squad
Gavin Bazunu (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Carty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Thomas Considine (Bohemians), Kyle Conway (St. Patrick's Athletic), Jimmy Corcoran (Preston North End), Alex Dunne (Shamrock Rovers), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Matt Everitt (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (Real Betis), Joshua Giurgi (Norwich City), Harry Halwax (Derby County),  Matthew Healy (Ipswich Town), Joe Hodge (Manchester City), Brandon Holt (St. Patrick's Athletic), Cian Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Kennedy (Sunderland), Seamas Keogh (Southampton), Ronan McKinley (Derry City), Timi Sobowale (Manchester City), Luke Turner (Aberdeen)

U-17 International Tournament Fixtures
Thursday 8th November: Republic of Ireland v England, Tallaght Stadium, 7pm
Sunday 11th November: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, Tallaght Stadium, 3pm
Wednesday 14th November: Republic of Ireland v Germany, Tallaght Stadium, 1pm.