New blood in u17 squad - January 9, 2000
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has named a strong 18-man squad to face France in Montpellier on January 24 and 26. Included in the squad are four players who have yet to taste international football.
They are Reineer Moor (Exeter City), Shay Saunders (Southampton), Adrian Deane (Charlton Athletic) and Ian Simpemba (Wycombe Wanderers). The last-named is the only one of the four that is not Irish born but he qualifies through his mother.
All four are tipped for big things. Midfielder Simpemba has been one of the stars for Wycombe's u19 team this season while strikers Reineer Moor and Shay Saunders are lethal in front of goal. But the most interesting inclusion has to be Charlton Athletic's Adrian Deane.
Even though Deane is only 17 he has progressed through the ranks at Charlton very quickly. He started the season in their u19 team but has since moved onto the reserves and already looks close to a breakthrough to the senior squad.
He is a natural footballer who can slot into any position on the field but is usually used at left-back. This does not stifle his attacking instincts because he is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and is not unknown to run the length of the field without being dispossessed.
The two matches against the French come about as a result of the friendly which took place between the two countries at St. Francis' ground in Baldonnel last year, when the Irish won 2-0.
"In fact," says Noel O'Reilly, assistant manager to Brian Kerr, "the French asked us for the fixtures. They said they wanted to play us and that is a nice compliment to get."
Ireland u17 squad: Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), Brian Murphy (Manchester City), Mark Rossiter (Sunderland), Joe Kendricks (Newcastle United), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Paddy McCarthy (Manchester City), Stephen Paisley (Manchester City), Keith Fahey (Aston Villa), Stephen Capper (Sunderland), Ian Simpemba (Wycombe Wanderers), Graham Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Keith Gilroy (Middlesbrough), Sean Thornton (Tranmere Rovers), Adrian Deane (Charlton Athletic), Reineer Moor (Exeter City), Shay Saunders (Southampton), Brian Fitzgerald (QPR), Ciaran Ryan (Bolton Wanderers).