Kane Ferdinand: Played at Under-18 level for the Republic of Ireland
Blues young defender Kane Ferdinand was approached to be on standby for the Republic of Ireland, and in fact ended up turning out for their under-18 side a couple of times last week, the first coming on as a late substitute; the second, a full game at centre back, and a win!
Under-18 Friendly Internationals
(both played at Ohrid City Stadium)
Tuesday May 11
Macedonia 1 Republic of Ireland 0
Republic of Ireland: McCarey (Wolves); Harriman (QPR), Folan (Newcastle United), O'Connor (Blackburn Rovers), Joyce (Reading); Stewart (Belvedere), Hendrick (Derby County), Quinn (Fulham), Horgan (Salthill Devon); Keegan (unattached), Murphy (Shamrock Rovers).
Substitutions: McDonnell (Dundalk) for Quinn, Walsh (Shamrock Rovers) for Murphy, Rafter (Colchester United) for Stewart (all h/t), Fitzsimons (Milwall) for Harriman (61 mins), Murray (Sheffield United) for Keegan (71 mins), Ferdinand (Southend United) for O'Connor (84 mins).
Thursday May 13
Macedonia 1 Republic of Ireland 2
Republic of Ireland: Egan (Kilmallock); Joyce (Reading), Ferdinand (Southend United), O`Shaughnessy (Aberdeen). Fitzsimons (Milwall); Stewart (Belvedere), McDonnell (Dundalk), Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), Murray (Sheffield United); Keegan (unattached), Rafter (Colchester United).
Substitutions: Murphy (Shamrock Rovers) for Murray, Quinn (Fulham) for Keegan, Harriman (QPR) for Joyce (all h/t), Horgan (Salthill Devon) for Stewart (61 mins), Hendrick (Derby County) for Walsh (65 mins), Folan (Newcastle United) for Rafter (69 mins), O'Connor (Blackburn) for McDonnell (80 mins).
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey told www.fai.ie: "We didn't pass the ball well in the first game where as there was much improvement in that area Thursday. Macedonia were a decent side, physically strong and technically good, but we outplayed them for large parts and probably should have won by more. These two games were a valuable exercise. We're looking towards next October's Under-19 UEFA qualifiers and a good performance like this, together with the win, gives the lads that bit of confidence."
Congrats to Kane and the best of luck for the future.
A year older, striker Harry Crawford is in the Ukraine with the Irish under-19 squad for the Euro Championships Elite Stages.
Fixtures
Wed. May 26 - England
Fri. May 28 - Ukraine
Mon. May 31 - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Meanwhile, after the success of last summer's under-18 Toomey Trophy Ricky Duncan's team will have a chance to repeat getting through to the final after beating Arsenal before losing on penalties to Everton.
The Gunners are back, along with West Ham, and Dutch side FC Twente.
The draw has already taken place but ticket prices and news of any sponsor are to be announced.
Saturday, July 24th
Arsenal v FC Twente
Southend United v West Ham
Sunday, July 25th
Third/Fourth play-off
The Final
Finally, a full schedule of pre-season games for the under-18's have been announced, including a Dutch tour.
Schedule
July 10th - Charlton Athletic (away - 11.00 k-o)
July 13th - AZ Alkmaar (away - 14.00)
July 24th/25th - Youth Tournament (home - T.B.A.)
July 27th - Ware (away - 14.00)
July 31st - Norwich City (away - 11.00)