Academy midfielder Paul Murphy has been named in the Republic of Ireland U17 squad playing in an invitational tournament in Lithuania from August 18th to 23rd. Murphy, a striker or wide midfielder, joined the academy full-time this summer.

The Irish side take on Azerbaijan on August 18th, then Belarus a day later, with the final group game against the hosts on the following Tuesday. The final and the place play-offs are on the Thursday.

Murphy, who was involved in the pre-season friendlies at Leiston and Dartford, previously won Irish caps at U16 level.

Meanwhile, Tommy Smith and the England squad have flown to Korea for the FIFA U17 World Cup. England face North Korea, New Zealand and Brazil in the group stages of the competition, which runs from August 18th to September 9th.

Macclesfield-born Smith, who turned down the chance to play for New Zealand, the country where he grew up, has previously won five caps at U17 level.

Republic of Ireland U17s: Harry Lee - Charlton Athletic, Gerard Hanley - Salthill Devon, Richard Towell - Celtic, John Dunleavy - Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mark Connolly - Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gavin Gunning - Blackburn Rovers, Kallum Keane - Derby County, Mark Power - Aston Villa, Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers, Conor Clifford - Chelsea, Gearoid Morrissey - Ringmahon Rangers, Conor Hourihane - Sunderland, John Smyth - Muirhevnamor, Daryn Hennessy - Chelsea, Darragh Satelle - Crumlin United, Gregory Cunningham - Manchester City, Paul Murphy - Ipswich Town, Karl Sheppard — Everton.

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