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Dublin will host some of the hottest talents in European football in May when the Republic of Ireland host one of the seven European Under 19 Championship Qualification mini-tournaments.

England, Switzerland, Slovenia as well as the Republic of Ireland will all be in action in venues dotted around the city as they do battle for the one available place in this summer's European Under 19 Championships in Liechtenstein.

Ireland have a proud record at Youth level and Sean McCaffrey, who succeeded Brian Kerr in February, will want to continue Ireland's recent success. Since winning the European Championships in 1998 when Ireland beat Germany on penalties, Ireland have been knocked out of all four competitions since then by the eventual finalists.

Last year, the team, boasting the talents of Sean Thornton, Jonathan Daly, Stephen Brennan, Stephen Paisley, Mark Rossiter and Graham Ward who all since have been capped at Under 21 level, finished fourth in the European Championships having sailed through the qualification group and play-offs in front of packed crowds in Cork and McCaffrey is hoping that Dublin will come out to cheer on his team in March.

McCaffrey will not name his squad until after trials for home-based players on April 29, but with talented youngsters like John Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Kevin Deery (Derry City) and Willo Flood (Manchester City) all eligible, it is sure to be a strong squad.

The team recently put in a strong performance in the Oporto Tournament in Portugal in preparations for May's qualifiers having been exempt from the first phase qualifiers on account of Ireland's impressive record at this level.

However, Ireland will face a difficult task against top quality opposition. The 'Auld Enemy' England are sure to select a strong squad from the talented youngsters plying their trade in Premiership clubs' youth teams. Switzerland also have a strong underage set-up and won last year's European Under 17 Championships while Slovenia are investing heavily in youth development and are expected to become a very strong force in the not too distant future.

Fixtures:
Monday May 19
Republic of Ireland v England - Tolka Park (Kick off 7:30)
Switzerland v Slovenia - Belfield Park (Kick off 2:30)

Wednesday May 21
Republic of Ireland v Switzerland - Richmond Park (Kick off 5:00)
Slovenia v England - Dalymount Park (Kick off 2:30)

Friday May 23
Republic of Ireland v Slovenia - Richmond Park (Kick off 7:30)
England v Switzerland - Home Farm (Kick off 7:30)