ForeverInLoveWithJus

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)

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I am going!!

PastyHusty

GO ENGLAND. *Waves little English flag*

Enjoy your time there Emma.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I will!

*Waves huge Irish Flag*

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Some Results:

Ireland U19 0 England U19 1
Switzerland U19 1 Slovakia U19 2

Besnit

Yay go England U19...

Any idea who was in the starting line ups for either side?

PastyHusty

Nice result for the Under 19 Squad.

I couldn't find the line-ups for last night, but I found the sqaud England have been using for the whole tournament:

http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/Und...=39/index.html

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I believe Slovakia could win and get the place!

ForeverInLoveWithJus

There was no disguising the disappointment of Irish boss Sean McCaffrey after Monday night's 1-0 defeat by England in the UEFA Under 19 qualifier at Tolka Park on an evening of total frustration that leaves the Republic a mountain to climb if they are to reach the finals in Liechtenstein in July.

"We dominated throughout, played England off the pitch and definitely had the more skilful players. But now we have to hope that England slip up in their remaining games against Slovenia and Switzerland. We have to hope that at least one of those two teams can do us a favour with only one team going through from this four team Group to the finals,"
said McCaffrey.

"I honestly believe that Ireland are good enough to beat either Switzerland or Slovenia - but it is now out of our own hands because we didn't take the chances that came our way against the English."

There are certain to be changes for Wednesday night's game against Switzerland at Richmond Park with Arsenal's Stephen Bradley and skipper Glenn Whelan (Manchester City) almost certainly ruled out by injuries.

Zlatko Dedic scored twice as Slovenia came from behind to open this UEFA Under-19 qualifying tournament with a surprise 2-1 victory over highly-fancied Switzerland at Belfield Park earlier in the day.

The Swiss, with two of their UEFA Under-17 champions from last season in their starting line-up, swept into the lead with a wonderful goal after just three minutes.

Juventus-based schemer Caryl Clemente ghosted forward from inside his own half to pick out Carmine Pascariello who swerved left and hit an unstoppable left-footer from 20 yards into the corner of Samir Handanovic's net.

The slick-passing Swiss almost scored again two minutes later but Stefan Kohler's shot took a deflection and went out for a corner after shaving the crossbar.

Whilst poor at the back, the Slovenians were excellent up front and they levelled with a superb solo goal from striker Zlatko Dedic, who drilled a low shot in off the post following a solo run, on 35 minutes.

Back in the game now, Slovenia should then have taken the lead two minutes later but Johnny Leon made a good stop with his feet from Dejan Robnik.

The Swiss had another let-off a minute before half time when Miso Brecko's long ball caught them out and Leon again had to make another good save at the feet of Dedic.

In a second half of few chances, Dedi proved the difference with what proved the winning goal 75 minutes. Again the Parma-based striker did it all himself, collecting the ball 40 yards out to run on and hit a low shot from 30 yards that bounced under the despairing dive of Leon.

Switzerland: Leon; Tranquillo, Gandolfo, Maric, Buhler, Righetti,Clemente, Kohler, Marazzi ; Tsimba, Pascariello.
Subs.- Margairaz for Marazzi (59 mins.), Getaz for Buhler
(68 mins.), Antic for Pascariello (82 mins.).

Slovenia: Handanovic; Brecko, Kelhar, Sedastion, Hadzic,
Jesenicnik;Sehic, Bosic, Komljenovic; Robnik, Dedic.
Subs. - Sabic for Hadzic (71 mins.), Stevanovic for
Bosic (85 mins.).

PastyHusty

I hope not. If England can beat them tommorow afternoon then we'll be in pole position for the group and will only need a draw against Switzerland.