IRELAND SQUAD

Kieron Thorp - Crystal Palace
David Maguire - Shrewsbury Town
Paul Honohan - Wilton Utd.
Gareth Matthews - Norwich City
Mark Nolan - Glasgow Celtic
David Joyce - Birmingham City
Laurence Gaughan - Liverpool
Danny Kelly - Norwich City
Anthony Bruce - West Bromwich Albion
Shane O’Connor - Liverpool
Conor McCormack - Manchester United
James McCarthy - Hamilton Academicals
Gearoid Morrissey - Ringmahon Rangers
Kurtis Byrne - Norwich City
Craig Duggan - Kilreen Celtic
Michael Collins - Liverpool
Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace
Ian Daly - Manchester City

Ireland Under-17 manager Sean McCaffrey has added Norwich City defender Danny Kelly to his squad for this week’s UEFA Elite phase qualifiers in Germany.

The 16-year old English-born centre-back was drafted in for the games against Scotland, Greece and Germany in place of the injured James O’Brien.

Kelly earned his first call-up to an Irish panel at the weekend after impressing in Norwich’s Youth team alongside fellow Irish squad members Gareth Matthews and Kurtis Byrne. He qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin-born father.

Ireland need to finish first in their four-nation group to qualify for May’s European Championship Finals, to be staged in Belgium.

Ireland’s group opener against Scotland takes place tomorrow, Wednesday (kick-off 15.00 hrs) in Emsdetten before they face Greece on Friday in Schuttorf (kick-off 15.00 hrs). Ireland’s final match, against Germany, is scheduled for next Monday in Nordhorn (kick-off 18.00 hrs).

Kelly spoke of his delight at his maiden selection in the Irish squad, saying “I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I was on the stand-by list for games earlier in the season but these qualifiers are the most crucial matches at this level and I’m thrilled to be involved.”

He added: “My father was born in Ballyfermot and my grand-parents lived in Dublin before moving over to England. I got my Irish passport a few years ago and always wanted to represent my country. Hopefully, I can help us qualify in Germany this week.”

Manager Sean McCaffrey should have a fully fit squad to choose for tomorrow’s clash against the Scots and his options in midfield look particularly strong. Manchester United schemer Conor McCormack has found good form of late and Scottish-born James McCarthy is destined to make his competitive debut for Ireland against his homeland.

Irish Under-16 cap Gearoid Morrissey has graduated to the older age-group on the back of a solid showing in Liverpool last month.

“A win is always important in the first match where it’s only one team going through,” said manager Sean McCaffrey. “We’ve prepared the squad as best we can and they are eager to get going on Wednesday.”

The Irish players experienced Irish weather conditions when they landed in Dusseldorf on Saturday afternoon. Snow and sleet hampered the training schedule on Sunday but they were able to hold two sessions on Monday.