Academy trio Josh Carson (pictured), Cormac Burke and Rory McKeown won their third Northern Ireland U17 caps as their side started their European U17 Championships qualifying group games with a 2-0 win over Malta. Midfielder Carson netted the first goal in the 12th minute with Preston’s Michael McLellan adding the second before the break.
The Northern Irish youngsters face hosts Andorra on Saturday and finally Holland on Tuesday.
Northern Ireland U17s: Ross Glendinning — Linfield, Ryan McLaughlin - Lisburn Youth, Jordan Watson — Sunderland, Luke McCullough — Dungannon, Cormac Burke - Ipswich Town, Matthew Ball - Norwich City, Michael McLellan - Preston North End (Stefan Lavery - Dungannon Swifts), James Knowles - Blackburn Rovers (Jack Warburton — Watford 64), Joshua Carson - Ipswich Town (Ryan Brobbel — Middlesbrough 50), Rory McKeown - Ipswich Town, Ryan Wilson - Stockport County. Subs: Gareth Deane - Lisburn Youth, Ben Oliver - Tranmere Rovers, Paul George — Celtic.