Manchester United’s John O'Shea has been called into the Republic of Ireland U-21 squad for the Toulon tournament in France which begins on May 7th. O'Shea was originally omitted from the squad because of his commitments to United, but with the reds now out of Europe, the Waterford youngster has got the call up. The squad leave on Sunday but O’Shea will follow on the 11th May, after the final day of the Premiership.
Ireland have been drawn in a tough group alongside Japan, Italy, South Africa and Germany but Don Givens is optimistic about their chances. He told the FAI’s official website, “"I don't want us to be coming back after the group stages, I want us to make it into the next phase. I think we will be competitive. Our performances this season have been encouraging though we have not played against teams like we will face in Toulon."
"Italy are always very strong at underage level, as are Germany, and I don't know an awful lot about Japan and South Africa, but playing all four sides will be good experience for the team. I would say we will be facing four different styles of football."
U-21 squad: Joe Murphy (Tranmere Rovers), Graham Stack (Arsenal), Jim Goodwin (Celtic), Brian O'Callaghan (Barnsley), Clifford Byrne (Sunderland), Keith Foy (Nottingham Forest), Paul Tierney (Manchester United), Brian Cash (Nottingham Forest), Liam Miller (Celtic), Michael Doyle (Celtic), Shaun Byrne (West Ham United), Joe Gamble (Reading), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Graham Barrett (Arsenal), Jonathon Daly (Stockport County), Paul Heffernan (Notts County), Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Dwayne Mattis (Huddersfield Town). Thomas Butler (Sunderland), John O'Shea (Manchester United).
Filed by Johnny Proby
