Trim players on Republic of Ireland u-17 panel

Trim teenagers Cian Lee and Dominic Peppard have been included by Republic of Ireland u-17 head coach Colin O'Brien in the panel for two friendly internationals against Turkey in Cork next week.

Lee now playes with St Patrick's Athletic and Peppard is with Bohemian FC after spells with Belvedere and St Kevin's Boys respectively.

The Irish will host Turkey at Turner's Cross on Tuesday 6th September (7.30pm), then the sides will meet again at Midleton FC on Thursday 8th September 8 (12.00pm).

Ireland are preparing for the UEFA U-17 Championships Qualifying Round which takes place in October. They travel to Albania to take on the mini-tournament hosts, Gibraltar and Germany with the top two progressing to the Elite Phase.

O'Brien's side played two friendly games in Slovenia earlier this month - winning 3-1 and drawing 1-1. Turkey return to Ireland having secured two victories in Dublin against the same age-group earlier this year and the Trim lads were also in that squad.

'We worked on certain functions with the players in Slovenia earlier this month and were happy with that work so we'll be looking to build on that plus we're bringing in some more players who weren’t over in Slovenia with us,' said O'Brien.

'The players need to understand that it's a step on from the international level at U-15s and U-16s as you are trying to qualify. One of our goals will be to get the players good minutes on the pitch. We still have to finalise the squad for the qualifiers so there are opportunities there.

'This age group played each other back in April. Turkey are bringing most of those players with them and have real quality so it's a great challenge for our players. It's a good challenge for them but we've got to embrace that. We've got some quality ourselves and it's an opportunity to show that.'

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-17 SQUAD

Dominic Peppard (Bohemians)

Cian Lee (St Patrick's Athletic)

Brian Maher (St Patrick's Athletic)

Tom Murphy (Everton)
Sean Brennan (Belvedere)
Rowan Roache (Blackpool)
Brandon Kavanagh (Bohemians)
Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Adam Idah (Corinthians Boys)
Marc Walsh (Finn Harps) Glen McAuley (Liverpool)
Lee O'Connor (Manchester United)
Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers)
Jordan Doherty (Sheffield United)
Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth)
Kameron Ledwidge (St Kevin's Boys)
Luke Nolan (St Patrick's Athletic)
Conor Coventry (West Ham United)

FIXTURES

Tuesday, 6th September

Republic of Ireland v Turkey, Turner's Cross (7.30pm)

Thursday, 8th September 

Republic of Ireland v Turkey, Knockgriffin Park, Midleton FC (12.00pm)