Academy keeper Conor O’Donnell has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their UEFA U17 Championship first phase qualifiers in Malta next week. O’Donnell joined the Blues from his hometown club Buncrana Hearts in the summer.
The Irish youngsters take on the hosts in their first group game on Saturday, then take on Albania on Monday and finally Norway on the Thursday. The top two go through to the next round.
Academy recruitment officer Malcolm Moore outlined O’Donnell’s attributes, and those of the other new scholars, in the summer when the keeper was playing at a younger level for his country: "He’s developed rapidly over the last 18 months and is now the Republic of Ireland U16s' number two goalkeeper, but has got really good potential.
"He’s growing all the time and [goalkeeper-coach] James Hollman loves him. He’s got good, solid technique, he’s a good shot-stopper, brave and, unusually for a goalkeeper, he can kick with both feet.”
Republic of Ireland U17s: Joe Coll - Manchester United, Conor O'Donnell - Ipswich Town, Colm Horgan - Salthill Devon, Pierce Sweeney - Belvedere, Tommy Hoban - Watford, Sean Kavanagh - Belvedere, Bradley Garmston - West Bromwich Albion , Eoin Hyland - Belvedere, Jamie Smith - Newcastle United, Michael Drennan - Aston Villa , Kenneth McEvoy - Tottenham Hotspur, Darragh Lenihan - Belvedere, Kealan Dillon - Derby County, Luke Gallagher - Cherry Orchard, Kieran Sadlier - West Ham United, James Murphy - Reading, Sam Byrne - St Joseph's Boys, Philip Roberts — Arsenal.