Ireland Under-19 team manager Sean McCaffrey has made several enforced changes to his squad for this week’s double-friendly fixture away to the Czech Republic.
The pair of matches, which take place tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24, and Thursday, April 26, will be the squad’s final preparations for the upcoming UEFA Under-19 Elite qualifying group matches, due to take place from May 14-19.
There’s a first International call-up at this level for Keith Quinn, who will hope to match the feat of his older brothers Stephen and Alan in representing Ireland.
Eighteen-years old Keith is on the books of Sheffield United, where his two brothers are first-team squad members. He is also a midfield player and, should he gain his first cap this week against the Czechs, he will become the third member of the family to play for Ireland this season.
Twenty-one years old Stephen made his debut for the Under-21's in a friendly match against the Netherlands in March and Alan, who is eldest of the three brothers, won the last of his eight senior caps as a substitute during Ireland’s last match on March 28, the 1-0 win over Slovakia at Croke Park in a EURO 2008 qualifier.
The original squad selected by McCaffrey was affected with a spate of withdrawals by players involved in first-team action for their clubs.
That has opened the door for other players to come in and make an impression ahead of the competitive series next month.
The Irish will have home advantage for the qualifiers when they meet Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria, with only the team that finishes top of the group advancing to the Under-19 European Championship Finals, to be staged in Austria from 16-27 July.
Ireland will open their qualification matches against Bulgaria on Monday, May 14th at Richmond Park followed two days later when they host Germany at Tolka Park. They conclude their group on Saturday, May 19th by facing Hungary at United Park, Drogheda.
Charlton Athletic midfield player Harry Arter has been promoted from the Irish Under-18 squad along with St. Patrick’s Athletic defender Noel Haverty for the trip to Prague.
Derry City goalkeeper Eugene Ferry, Dundalk defender Kevin McArdle and striker James O’Shea of Bray Wanderers are the other players from eircom League of Ireland clubs to make the panel.
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey is eager for his players to make his task of choosing a final squad for the next European Championship qualifiers as difficult as possible.
“The opportunity is there this week for players to push their prospects of making the squad for the qualifiers” he said, “I’m certain that the incentive of playing those qualification matches in front of the home supporters in Ireland will spur them on to make an impact during these two friendly games.
“We’ve got a good mixture of players with us in the Czech Republic. There’s still a few places up for grabs in the final squad for next month and the lads will receive a strong test against a highly-rated Czech team.”
He added: “Last October seems a long time ago when we progressed through the Preliminary qualification phase of the UEFA Championship as group winners after defeating Netherlands, Belarus and mini-group hosts Macedonia in the three games.
“Topping the group with a 100% record was a terrific boost for the lads but it won’t be worth much to the players unless they produce the same performance in the Elite phase next month.
“We’ve played four tough friendly games at Under-19 level against France, Portugal, Germany and Ukraine since the last UEFA phase.The Czech Republic matches will be our sternest to date and that will benefit the team as we look towards the qualifiers.”
BELFAST.DUBLIN.OMAGH.DERRY.CORK 
bravenet.com