The Irish 2024/25 MU17's

The Irish U17's kick off Round 1 of the 2024/25 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Qualifiers next week...

Round 1 of the 2024/25 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Qualifiers

Every year, the Under-17 European Championships is a platform for some of the most talented young players to make their mark and showcase their talents. Colin O’Brien's U17s will be hoping to reach the European Championship Finals in Albania next summer with a new generation of young Irish lads under a new U17 EURO Format.

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Qualification - How it Works

Qualifying for the new look U17 EURO format begins next week for the Republic of Ireland. U17 EURO qualifying will consist of two stages, now named Round 1 (in autumn) and Round 2 (in spring).

“Qualifying is now in two rounds, with the second stage split into two tiers. The reformatted eight-team final tournament will be in Albania, scheduled for 19 May to 1 June 2025. Hosts Albania take part in both rounds of qualifying even through their place in the final tournament is assured.

In round 1, the top two teams in each group qualify to take part in round 2 League A (which will decide the seven teams joining hosts Albania in the finals), and the other teams transfer to round 2 League B.”

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Our Opponents

The Ireland MU17’s were drawn in Group 8 alongside Lithuania, Scotland and hosts Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland kick off qualifying on 29 October 2024 up in Inver Park in Larne, County Antrim against Lithuania.

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Some of our Players Competing for a Spot in the Squad

In our previous squad for the September friendlies against Denmark, goalkeepers Alex Noonan and Ali Topcu were the two selected to represent the team.

Alex Noonan joined Shamrock Rovers U13's in 2020 from Straffan AFC at the age of 12. A young man who excels in both foot and hand distributions. Composed and competent, good distribution with his left foot and good shot-stopping prowess. Has strong International experience from the UEFA Development Tournament at Under 15s, the tournament in Italy which we won, the U16 Victory Shield and September's U17s fixtures against Belgium.

Ali Topcu of Shelbourne is another young man with huge potential, his combination of agility and intellect has made him a formidable force in the net for both Shelbourne U17's and the Irish U15's all the way up to the 17's.

In defence, Colin O'Brien has an exciting array of talent coming through. The first player who should be included in the upcoming squad is Oísín McDonagh (Venezia FC). The Irish U17 captain joined Serie A side Venezia last August, having impressed during a trial two months prior. Sean O’Connor of the Irish Independent travelled over to the Ca Foscari University last week where Oisin spoke about his two seasons with Shamrock Rovers, travelling up and down the M11 three times a week, to returning to his home club, Wexford FC last January, and his big summer move to Italy not long after completing his Junior Cert. It’s been a rapid rise for the Ireland U17 captain.

Video Credit: 1 Minuto só over on Youtube

Two young players making a strong case for a spot in the squad are Billy Canny (St. Patrick’s Athletic), who earned his Irish U16 debut in January 2024 during a 3-1 loss to Turkey in the Aegean Cup, and Ben Dumigan (Cork City), who has had an impressive October.

It’s been a standout October for young Ben Dumigan. Fresh off helping the Republic of Ireland U16s secure the Victory Shield and winning the MU15 League of Ireland Michael Hayes Cup in the same fortnight, Ben has truly impressed. Throughout both the shield campaign and the cup final, he showcased his defensive mastery, combining on-the-ball composure and precise passing with exceptional decision-making and situational awareness that didn’t go unnoticed.

An Irish team without the attacking and defensive reliability of Muhammad Oladiti (Shamrock Rovers) is simply less effective, both in possession, and in creating chances in the final third. The video below showcases the very best of Muhammad Oladiti created by Ojeando Fútbol over on Youtube…

The first time I ever saw Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim) in action was a few years ago in the Cootehill Harps AFC colours - an athletic left back with a striking left foot, a great engine with strong defensive qualities. He's since joined Shelbourne, capped at International level with Jason Donoghue U15's, an instrumental presence as the Irish U16's won the 2023 Victory Shield to representing the Irish U17's before packing his bags for Hoffenheim… Before joining TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in May 2024 (competing in the A-Junioren Bundesliga), Finn was captain of Shelbourne's U17 and featured in a number of Damien Duff's first team squads, scoring in a first team pre-season friendly against Bray Wanderers at the age of just 15.

It’s going to be a battle for places in the defence with Sam Steward (St. Patrick’s Athletic) among the fray aswel. He's captained the Irish at U16 level, a lad who always reminds me of a young Daniel Agger - a classy ball playing centre back, dominant, reliable, with a range of passing.

In Midfield, Newcastle United's Rory Finneran was named in the Guardian Newspaper's Next Generation 2024 list last week where Louise Taylor explained their decision for Rory's inclusion;

“Finneran’s accomplished left foot – although he is also pretty good with his right – has already helped earn him 10 Republic of Ireland Under-17 caps. Not to mention making him the youngest player to have appeared for Blackburn’s first team when, at the age of 15 years, 10 months and eight days he came off the bench to make his senior bow in an FA Cup tie in January. Given his age, Finneran had to wear a specially adapted shirt as he was too young to promote the vaping company advertised on Blackburn’s kits. He was also an unused substitute for a Championship match last season. Named Ireland’s Under-15 player of the year in 2023, Finneran joined Blackburn’s academy at the age of eight but had been on the radar of a raft of Europe’s leading clubs for some time. With Newcastle winning the race for his signature, Finneran rejected the offer of a scholarship at Ewood Park, choosing a switch to the St James’ Park academy.”

Video Credit: SVMMcomps - Youtube

Brody Lee and Goodness Ogbonna both represented Shamrock Rovers in last months MU17 Irish squad. Brody Lee, the former Killavilla United youngster broke onto the International scene when he scored on his Republic of Ireland debut in an U15 tournament in Croatia in October 2022. While Goodness Ogbonna, the former Melview FC star and Slashers gaelic footballer has impressed in the Irish jersey in recent months. Goodness won the League and Cup Double twice with Melview FC and also won the Player's Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer award, going on to win the overall club player of the year award in his final season with the club before joining Shamrock Rovers in 2022. He scored the winning goal for the Republic of Ireland U-16’s in last years Victory Shield match against Scotland over in Wales.

Another two players based abroad are Ramon Martos (UD Almeria) and Grady McDonnell (Vancouver FC). Ramon Martos signed his first professional contract with UD Almería in July 2024. He’s made a strong impression with the Irish youth teams, qualifying to represent Ireland through his Irish mother. In March 2023, he scored his first Irish goal for the Ireland U15s in their 1-0 victory over Wales U15s.

In our last international break, Grady McDonnell (Vancouver FC) played in both friendlies against Denmark’s U17, scoring in the first match. The highly rated, 16-year-old central midfielder made headlines earlier this year when he became the second youngest player in Vancouver FC history, (the third youngest ever player in Canadian Premier League history when he debuted in their 3-1 defeat to Cavalry FC last May.

Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), who only turned 16 last August, was born in Kildare but moved to England when he was two years old. He signed scholarship terms with Burnley in the summer of 2024, having been in the Clarets’ youth system for the past five years. His older brother Frankie also plays in the Burnley Academy. Significant experience with Ireland’s U15s and U16s and was part of last year’s Victory Shield winning squad.

Other players pushing for a spot are Oskar Skoubo Keely (Bohemians) and Killian Ryan (Shelbourne). The highly talented Jaden Umeh (Benfica) has recently returned to training following his injury but have these qualifiers come too soon? The 16 year-old made 15 league appearances this season for Cork City, albeit with nine of those coming off the bench, scoring twice before his big move to Portuguese giants Benfica last August.

If Jaden Umeh is not match fit, one players who'll be looking for inclusion is Luke Chukwu (St. Patrick’s Athletic) who can impact games both as a goal-scorer and a creative force.

Upfront, Michael Noonan (St. Patrick’s Athletic) has been making the headlines these past few days with the rumours that Manchester City are in advanced talk to sign the 16 year old. With goals from inside and outside the box, Michael is a quick & opportunistic forward with good technical ability. At just 16, Michael already has an impressive return of 19 goals across U20's and Senior Appearances which equals a goal every 101 minutes played this season.

(This Season Stats for Michael Noonan)

Another standout player is his teammate Sam Rooney (St. Patrick’s Athletic), while Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), the man who became Bray Wanderers youngest ever first team player at 15 years and 222 days old last year will be looking to continue his Irish goalscoring form next week.

Video Credit: Podium Sports Management

From Cead McGrath to Vinnie Leonard to Gavin McAteer, to Charlie Campbell, to Billy Hayes, to Cillian Tollett who made his Galway United First Team debut last weekend, the list of League of Ireland players in contention for an Irish U17 call up is endless…

Are we in for a surprise inclusion in the upcoming Irish MU17 squad or who would you like to see included? Let us know in the comments section below….

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