Athlone Town player called up to Irish U16 squad

A underage player with Athlone Town has been called up to the Irish under-16 squad for two friendly internationals against Hungary next week.

Ballinasloe native Jordan Carr was named today in head coach Paul Osam's 18-player squad.

Jordan will be in familiar surroundings for the first of the two internationals, which takes place at Ballinasloe Town's Curragh Grounds on Tuesday evening next, February 21, at 7pm.

Mervue United in Galway will then host a second encounter at Fahy's Field on Thursday afternoon (12.00pm).

The Irish U16 side won the Victory Shield in November with wins over Wales, Northern Ireland and hosts Scotland, and Osam is looking for similar performances from his squad next week.

'It's nice to be back together with the squad as outside of a friendly against Jason Donohue's U15s and a Christmas session we have not had much opportunity to work with the players since the Victory Shield,' said Osam.

'We will be looking to continue on the work we've done with the players and what they did at U15 level last season in these two fixtures then turn the focus on the UEFA development tournament in May before we hand the squad over to the U17 Head Coach Colin O'Brien for next season.

'The work we're doing is about adding to the players knowledge of international football and it's also an opportunity for some players that we need to have a look at before they progress to the competitive games at U17 level.

'We'd be hopeful we can get good results next week but we are more focused on getting the performances required at this level of the game and help with the development of the players,' said Osam. 

Meanwhile, Athlone Town's first team has been drawn against neighbours Longford Town in the first round of the EA Sports Cup. The fixture is due to be played in Athlone on Monday, March 20, or Tuesday, March 21.   

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U16 SQUAD:

Harry Clarke (St Patrick's Athletic)
Kian Clarke (Bohemians)
Max Murphy (St Joseph's Boys)
Nathan Collins (Cherry Orchard)
Oisin McEntee (Malahide Utd)
Ray O'Sullivan (St Kevin's Boys)
Mark McGuinness (Arsenal)
Kameron Ledwidge (St Kevin's Boys)
Jason Knight (Cabinteely)
Jordan McEneff (Coleraine)
Jordan Carr (Athlone Town)
Marc Walsh (Finn Harps)
Adam O'Reilly (Ringmahon Rangers)
Barry Coffey (Nenagh AFC)
Jack Nolan (Reading)
Ciaran Brennan (Waterford FC)
Ryan Cassidy (St Kevin's Boys)
Tyreik Wright (Lakewood AFC)