In the Intermediate Cup Final, Avondale United make the trip up from Cork to face Crumlin United with kick-off at 2pm.

Avondale United have won the Intermediate Cup a record seven times, having last lifted the trophy in the 2013/14 season whilst Crumlin United, who have won the competition four times, beat the holders Maynooth University Town in a five-goal thriller in the semi-final. 

"It is definitely the biggest day of the year for us, we're the record-holders in the competition and to not make it to the final in the past five seasons isn't good enough for a club like Avondale," said Avondale United's David Kiely.

"We've had a difficult route to the final which has been good for us, made our way past some great opposition and we're really looking forward to it."

"For Crumlin, this is the biggest day of the year for us. We've got a proud cup history in both this competition and the FAI Cup, and we're desperate to win at our national stadium," said Crumlin United's Thomas Hyland. 

"It was an incredible semi-final and to win the game in the last minute was amazing. It's definitely given us plenty of confidence to beat the holders coming into the final and we definitely feel like we've been working up to this." 

The match will be decided on the day. Extra-time in the Intermediate Cup Final will be played over two 15-minute periods if needed. If the game is level after extra-time, they will go to penalties.

FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup Final
Avondale United v Crumlin United, Aviva Stadium, 2pm

Monday's opening Quarter-Final will see Italy play Portugal in Tolka Park at 4.30pm. The final Semi-Final spot will be confirmed in The UCD Bowl, when Hungary meet Spain at 7pm

The first two Quarter-Finals were confirmed on Thursday evening, after the conclusion of Groups A and B.

UEFA Under-17 European Championship Quarter-Finals
12/5/2019: France v Czech Republic, Tallaght Stadium, 1pm
12/5/2019: Belgium v the Netherlands, Carlisle Grounds, 7pm
13/5/2019: Italy v Portugal, Tolka Park, 4.30pm
13/5/2019: Hungary v Spain, UCD Bowl, 7pm

Mark O’Sullivan broke his Aviva Stadium duck with a stunning first-half strike as Avondale United held on to lift their seventh FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup in 14 years.

The former Cork City man lifted the FAI Senior Cup here without getting on the scoresheet himself but he shocked Crumlin with a wonderful solo effort that would turn out to be the game’s only goal.

The two most successful sides in recent years had carved out ten of the last 13 Intermediate Cups coming into the game and it was as close and tightly-contested a game as that suggests.
The first half was tense, with neither side taking any real risks, but it was underdogs Avondale who dominated possession early on with their 3-5-2 affording an extra body in midfield.

Both wing backs were working hard and it was Danny O’Connell who created the first chance on the right, finding Jack Walsh inside and he, in turn, found his strike partner O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan waltzed in between Crumlin centre-halves Thomas Hyland and David Brady, but his finish let him down and Michael Quinn saved easily.

Crumlin didn’t heed the warning, however, and trailed eight minutes from the break when O’Sullivan picked the ball up deep, strode forward unchecked and picked out the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The impressive Jake Donnelly should have levelled for Crumlin from the restart but, after holding off two defenders, he looped his shot over the bar.

Both sides had chances as Crumlin, naturally, opened up in search of an equaliser, as Donnelly hit the side net and both Walsh and Goghan Lougheed missed the target with headers.

Avondale captain Dave Kiely had to improvise in blocking Donnelly’s goalbound effort with his head, before Donnelly was stretchered off following a poor challenge from Walsh.

He was replaced by Ireland junior international Liam Brady, and his nutmeg on Ryan Hogan looked to have opened the door only for Vinnie O’Brien to nip in and clear.

Crumlin had one final chance deep into injury time to force another 30 minutes but it wasn’t to be as captain Hyland headed Alan McGreal’s corner wide, and the day was Avondale’s.

Avondale United: Sean Barron; Dave Kiely, Mark Horgan (Vinnie O’Brien 79), Hughie O’Donovan; Danny O’Connell, Goghan Lougheed, Brian Murphy (Cathal O’Neill 90+4), David O’Leary (Karl Caulfield 64), David Shovlin (Ryan Hogan 35); Mark O’Sullivan, Jack Walsh.

Crumlin United: Michael Quinn; Sean Harding, David Brady, Thomas Hyland, Gareth Brady; Craig Walsh, John Sullivan, James Lee, Alan McGreal; Conor Murphy (Sam Burgess 90+2), Jake Donnelly (Liam Brady 74).

The two-person delegation will arrive at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown when they will meet with the full Board. The delegation also plan to meet with Sport Ireland officials during their visit.

The FAI Board remains in constant dialogue with UEFA regarding all elements of governance and reform within the Association. An FAI delegation, led by President Donal Conway alongside interim CEO Rea Walshe and Board member Eamonn Naughton, met with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Director of National Associations Zoran Lakovic in Switzerland last Monday.

As planned, UEFA sent a delegation to Dublin last Tuesday and have supported the recent establishment of a Governance Review Board by the FAI and Sport Ireland. FIFA will now meet with the FAI to discuss the ongoing processes. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting with the FIFA delegation this coming Wednesday, FAI President Donal Conway said: "We welcome this visit from our colleagues in FIFA as we continue our programme for governance change at the FAI. We visited UEFA at their Nyon headquarters last Monday when they told us they remain fully committed to and supportive of our review processes. UEFA and the FAI are exploring all areas in which UEFA can assist the FAI and will continue to work in partnership for the betterment of Irish football. FIFA are also key stakeholders in Irish football. Their support and assistance at this time is most welcome. We look forward to a productive meeting with the FIFA delegation and to the ongoing co-operation and support from both FIFA and UEFA as we transform our governance procedures and our Association."

The Football Association of Ireland and Sport Ireland recently established a Governance Review Group to review the existing governance arrangements within the FAI and to consider and propose a governance framework for the FAI which will support the Board and the organisation in achieving and observing good governance. The Governance Review Group is expected to present a draft report in June, ahead of the AGM of the FAI at the end of July.

The Governance Review Group has invited submissions regarding these reforms from stakeholders in the game including sponsors, the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, FAI staff and the general public by May 20th, via email to governance@fai.ie

In the first Semi-Final, the Netherlands will play Spain in the UCD Bowl on Thursday, May 16 at 4.30pm. That game will be followed by the meeting of France and Italy in Tallaght Stadium at 7pm.

All four Semi-Finalists have booked their place in this Autumn's FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil. The fifth and final European spot will be confirmed in Tolka Park, early on Thursday afternoon as Hungary play Belgium in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Play-Off at 12pm.

UEFA Under-17 European Championship Semi-Finals
16/5: Netherlands v Spain, UCD Bowl, 4.30pm
16/5: France v Italy, Tallaght Stadium, 7pm

2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Play-Off
16/5: Hungary v Belgium, Tolka Park, 12pm

Pupils from St Finbarr’s BNS Cabra, St Gabriel’s NS Arbour Hill, St Catherine’s Senior School Cabra and St Laurence O’Toole’s BNS Seville Place all gathered in the Oak Room of the Mansion House as guests of the Lord mayor for the presentation ceremony.

The Double Club presentation was organised by staff of Bohemian FC via the ERDF funded “More than a Club” project. The morning was a celebration of the young people’s participation in the programme. Comedia and Bohemians fan PJ Gallagher acted as MC for the event which also featured guest speakers, Lord Mayor Nial Ring and Bohemians Manager Keith Long. Also attending the event were first team players, Darragh Leahy, Rob Cornwall and Scott Allardyce who have become local heroes to the children having visited their schools during programme delivery.

The “More than a Club” project aims to develop new social enterprises aligned with professional football clubs in Ireland and Wales which will design, develop and deliver innovative social programmes centred on health, education and social inclusion. The pilot project is supported by the Ireland Wales European Territorial Co-Operation programme, which is helping to strengthen collaboration between Ireland and Wales to address common economic and social challenges. 

The Double Club numeracy initiative is just one of the many programmes being delivered by the Bohemians “More than a Club” team and it aims to help primary school children in North Dublin to improve numeracy skills and increase levels of participation in physical activity using an innovative collaboration with football and maths. 

‘I am particularly pleased with the partnership approach in this programme to encourage young people to engage in educational and well-being activities within their local communities. It is important we recognise and support the sustainability of innovative initiatives like these in our city which is vital in creating socially inclusive communities’, Lord Mayor Nial Ring said at the event.

FAI President Donal Conway was delighted to see the work done in the programme. “It’s very pleasing to see the huge number of children who have participated in this programme. Football has the power to change people’s lives in so many positive ways and the innovative approach of the club's More than a Club team to improving the numeracy skills of children using football as a tool is to be highly commended”.

The Board of the Football Association of Ireland has appointed Paul Cooke to the sub-committee overseeing ongoing investigations and procedures at the FAI.

As Mr Cooke has been nominated unopposed for the vacant position of Honorary Treasurer, the Board felt that the addition of his skill set will enhance the group.

A former Director with Waterford United, Cooke is a chartered accountant who has worked as CEO of the Irish Daily Star and the Sunday Business Post newspapers in the recent past.

Welcoming the appointment, FAI President Donal Conway said: “Paul Cooke’s experience in the media industry and in business, coupled with his acumen as a chartered accountant, is a valuable addition to our sub-committee.”

Cooke will join President Conway and Board members Niamh O’Donoghue, Eamonn Naughton, Paraic Treanor and Noel Fitzroy on the sub-committee set up to oversee investigations and processes ongoing at the FAI.

Waterford native Cooke said: “I look forward to working with the Board of the FAI on this sub-committee and I am confident that my business and financial background will be an asset to the processes underway at the FAI.”
 
Paul Cooke is a qualified Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a senior executive in Irish Business and Media over the past 25 years. In this period he has  served as Managing Director of The Irish Daily Star and Managing Director and significant shareholder in the Sunday Business Post. 

In addition to his business activities, Mr Cooke has had a continuous involvement with football in Ireland as a former Waterford United Director and was also a member of the FAI Council for a number of years. 

He is currently a trustee of Larkview FC in Dublin and a former player-member of the club.

At a positive meeting of the FAI Council this afternoon, President Donal Conway outlined how the FAI had recently engaged with UEFA when assurances were given regarding their support for the Association.

President Conway said: "As I outlined to our Council meeting today, we recently met with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Director of National Associations Zoran Lakovic. At that meeting in Nyon, they assured us of the full support of UEFA for the FAI as we go through our current processes. UEFA’s support will ensure the continued viability of the Football Association of Ireland and there is no threat to FAI Operations or to FAI staff."

Bjorn Vassallo, Director Member Associations Europe with FIFA, and colleague Sarah Solemale from FIFA’s Association Governance Services, will now meet with Sport Ireland at their National Sports Campus headquarters on Thursday morning.

The FIFA delegation met on Wednesday afternoon with the FAI Board and interim CEO Rea Walshe after their Council meeting.

Director Member Associations Europe, Vassallo said afterwards: “We were very happy to be here today and meet with the President, with his Board and with the interim CEO. The engagement with the FAI, not only today but in recent weeks, has been very good and we are very happy for that. Obviously we are following what’s happened here and recent developments and we are meeting with Sport Ireland tomorrow. Our main objective is to safeguard the autonomy of the FAI as a full member Association of FIFA and we intend to do that.”

FAI President Donal Conway thanked FIFA for their visit and also expressed his satisfaction with Wednesday’s Council meeting at the Association’s headquarters.

Conway said: “We have had some very productive meetings today. We had a Council meeting early today and I am happy with the way it went as I think our members were and then our friends from FIFA came in. We explained our circumstances, our situation, and we were assured of their solidarity and support which is very, very important to us. I think they quickly appraised the situation we find ourselves in. They now go to meet Sport Ireland tomorrow.”

Six qualifying round ties have already taken place in the competition with two further fixtures set to take place on the weekend-ending Sunday, May 26. 

Sheriff YC are set to travel to St. Michael's on Saturday, May 25, with kick-off at 7pm at Cooke Park whilst Lucan United welcome Aisling Annacotty at Celbridge Football Park on Sunday, May 26, with kick-off at 1pm. 

FAI Cup Qualifying Round - Results

Glebe North 2-1 Midleton
Newtown Rangers 3-4 Avondale United (AET)
Glengad United 1-1 Home Farm (4-3 pens)
UCC 0-2 Malahide United
Maynooth University Town 5-1 Rockmount 
St. Mochta's 0-1 Collinstown

FAI Cup Qualifying Round - Fixtures

25/05 - St. Michael's v Sheriff YC, Cooke Park, 7pm
26/05 - Lucan United v Aisling Annacotty, Celbridge Football Park, 1pm

Byes: Cobh Wanderers, Crumlin United, Killester Donnycarney and Letterkenny Rovers. 

The Board of the FAI is aware that a number of SFAI affiliate leagues have had difficulty implementing trophy football in the calendar season and feel their leagues would be better equipped to deliver trophy football by following the winter season in line with the school calendar.

Following discussions between the FAI and the SFAI, the Board of the FAI have agreed the following:

• Any underage league currently playing in the calendar season or about to implement calendar season football may continue to do so
• Those leagues currently playing in calendar season that have faced serious challenges may consider a return to the winter season
• Leagues currently playing in the winter season may continue to do so
• SFAI competitions will remain in their current format

 The FAI, in conjunction with the SFAI, are establishing a Committee to look into this particular matter and are aware that any change may pose challenges as the non-alignment of the Schoolboy season with the National League season can lead to difficulties for various stakeholders.

The FAI, in partnership with Sport Ireland, recently established a Governance Review Group to review the existing governance arrangements within the FAI and to consider and propose a governance framework for the FAI which will support the Board and the organisation in achieving and observing good governance.

Chaired by Sport Ireland nominee Aidan Horan, the Group also includes independent members Dr Moling Ryan and Joe O’Leary along with FAI representatives Rea Walshe and Niamh O’Donoghue.

The Group is actively working on the functions within its terms of reference and remains on course to deliver an interim report in the middle of June.

Chairperson Aidan Horan said: "We very much welcome the detailed submissions we have already received from many individuals and groups with an interest in Irish football. We would like to remind all interested parties yet to participate in this process that the closing date for submissions is May 20th. We can confirm again that all submissions will feed into our deliberations as we progress our work. We are confident that we will have an interim report on schedule by June 14th."

The Governance Review Group wrote to FAI members, sponsors and key stakeholders in Irish football inviting them to submit their ideas on the future of the game.

The Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland and members of the public have also been invited to submit their ideas on the future governance of the Association via email to governance@fai.ie

• UEFA EURO 2020 will be spread across 12 European cities. Dublin will host three Group Games and one Round-of-16 game. Should the Republic of Ireland qualify, they will play a minimum of two group games at home. Round-of-16 game will not involve Republic of Ireland’s group, should the team qualify. 
• General sale of EURO 2020 tickets will open via http://euro2020.com/tickets on June 12th and will close on July 12th. The allocation of tickets will be handled by UEFA and applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications in August 2019with payment due on receipt of notification should you be successful. 
• An estimated one million tickets will be made available in this application phase meaning this is the best opportunity for football fans to secure their seats for games being hosted by Dublin.
• This will be the best chance to secure tickets for UEFA EURO 2020 matches in Dublin should the Republic of Ireland not qualify. There will be no additional general sales for football fans in Ireland to secure tickets for the games in Dublin after applications close on July 12th. 
• Additional sales phases’ will take place in December 2019 and April 2020 for fans of teams that have qualified. The number of tickets available in these windows will be significantly lower and applications will only be taken if supporters meet the criteria set out by the respective National Association. More information will follow regarding the criteria if the Republic of Ireland qualify.
• The FAI Ticket Office will have no role in applications for tickets from June 12th– July 12th and at this stage there will be no option to provide your FAI Ticketing Account details on UEFA’s ticketing application platform. No records of attendance at away fixtures, holding of season ticket(s), membership of Club Ireland or affiliation with a supporters club will be taken into account by UEFA at this stage as it not yet known if the Republic of Ireland will be involved in the games being hosted in Dublin. As stated above, if the Republic of Ireland qualify more information will follow on the process to apply and criteria to secure tickets as a supporter of a participating nation at UEFA EURO 2020. 
• Supporters can register now prior to the portal opening on June 12th

Head Coach Greg Yelverton has named an 18-man squad for the trip to Bordeaux as he makes final decisions before naming his 20-man squad that will travel to Naples for the tournament in July. Team Ireland were drawn in Pool A alongside South Korea and Uruguay.

The two teams have had a number of competitive encounters in what has become an annual fixture with the Irish team achieving their first victory over Les Bleus last June in Longford courtesy of goals from Georgie Poynton and Darragh Gibbons in a 2-1 success.

Head Coach Yelverton is looking forward to another meeting with his French counterparts and expects a stiff test. “It is a great opportunity for our players to prove themselves against top opposition. France are one of the top teams in International University Football and will be well motivated with their own preparations for the Universiade. We had a great victory against them last year on home soil and the objective will be to replicate that feat in their territory.

Speaking on the players at his disposal and whittling down his squad for the Universiade, the Cork native said “We have approximately thirty players at the moment in consideration for Italy. The next couple of days will be important for these eighteen players to impress me enough to guarantee their place. There are a number of players who are unfortunate to miss out here due to exams and their club commitments but we are still keeping an eye on them as the play for their clubs. Each player has their chance to be selected and it is up to them to prove it to me with their performances for club or country.

Colleges and Universities Squad to play France.
Goalkeepers: David Coffey (UCC), Paul Martin (Waterford IT)
Defenders: Ronan Young (Queen’s University), Tristan Noack-Hofmann (DCU), Gordon Walker (UCC), Robert Slevin (UCC), Joe Manley (TU Dublin), Conor Keeley (Griffith College Dublin)
Midfielders: Dean Kelly (IT Carlow), Pierce Phillips (UCC), Jamie Hollywood (TU Dublin), David Hurley (UCC), Sean McSweeney (University of Limerick), Cillian Duffy (Maynooth University)
Forwards: Alan O’Sullivan (IT Carlow), Michael Scott (TU Dublin), Simon Falvey (UCC), Aaron Dobbs (TU Dublin)

International Friendly
21/5: France v Ireland, Bordeaux, 10.30am (9.30am Irish time) 

The tournament, to be staged from 12 June to 12 July 2020, will see the 24 finalist teams playing in 12 different cities: Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg. 

A record three million tickets will be available to fans, meaning that more supporters than ever will get the chance to ‘LIVE IT. FOR REAL’ - a slogan designed to inspire and encourage fans to experience matches live at the stadium. Almost 2.5 million tickets – more than the total number available for the whole of UEFA EURO 2016 – have been reserved for fans of the participating teams and the general public.

‘Fans First’

• 82% of the tickets for UEFA EURO 2020 will go to the fans of the participating teams and the general public;
• 1 million tickets will be available for €50 or less across 44 matches;
• A total of 40,000 tickets under €100 will be available for the semi-finals and final in London; and
• Fans who did not receive the tickets they applied for after the first ticket sales phase has ended will be the first to be informed about new ticket availability (on account of unsuccessful payments and ticket returns). These fans will be given an exclusive priority period to purchase.

Ticketing products 
There will be two different types of tickets to choose from:

• Individual ticket: one match in one stadium; and
• ‘Follow my team’ ticket (sold from December 2019): A ticket allowing fans to attend a knockout stage match of their favourite team independently of the location of the match. If the team is eliminated before the knockout stage, 100% of the ticket price will be refunded.

UEFA will make a number of tickets available for disabled fans at every match, in the lowest price category, regardless of their location in the stadium. Disabled fans can also request a complimentary seat for an accompanying person. 

Timeline to apply for tickets on euro2020.com/tickets

In the first phase of sales – which runs from 12 June to 12 July 2019 - 1.5 million tickets will be made available to the general public, which is 50% more than in 2016. 

In the second phase of sales - in early December 2019 - 1 million tickets will be available to fans of the participating teams, which is 20% more than in 2016. These sales will start after the final tournament draw, which takes place on 30 November 2019. 

Another phase of sales will take place in April 2020, as the remaining four teams to qualify for UEFA EURO 2020 will be determined after the European Qualifiers play-offs which take place between 26 and 31 March 2020. 

All tickets will exclusively be sold online via a single web address: euro2020.com/tickets 

For all matches and categories where demand exceeds supply, tickets will be allocated by a fair and transparent ballot. Every applicant will have the same chance of being successful, irrespective of when the application has been made between 12 June and 12 July 2019. 

Ticket categories and prices
Tickets will be offered in three categories for EURO 2020, and the host cities have been allocated to two clusters to reflect the purchasing power and average income of residents.

Cluster A includes Amsterdam, Bilbao, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg, while Cluster B comprises Baku, Bucharest and Budapest.

The price clusters have been applied throughout the entire tournament. Consequently, tickets for the quarter-final in Baku are less expensive than tickets for the quarter-finals in Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg.

Cluster A: Amsterdam, Bilbao, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome, Saint Petersburg
Category 3: €50 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €75 (Quarter-Finals)
Category 2: €125 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €145 (Quarter-Finals)
Category 1: €185 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €225 (Quarter-Finals)

Cluster B: Baku, Bucharest, Budapest
Category 3: €30 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €30 (Quarter-Finals)
Category 2: €75 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €75 (Quarter-Finals)
Category 1: €125 (Group Stage & Round of 16) / €125 (Quarter-Finals)

Semi-finals and final: London
Fans First: €85 (Semi-Finals) / €95 (Final)
Category 3: €195 (Semi-Finals) / €295 (Final)
Category 2: €345 (Semi-Finals) / €595 (Final)
Category 3: €595 (Semi-Finals) / €945 (Final)

Value-added tax (VAT) applicable in each host country is included within the ticket price and will be covered by UEFA.  All prices are in euros. 

Official resale platform 
A ticket resale platform will allow fans to offer their tickets for resale at face value via euro2020.com/tickets The ticket resale platform will be available in 2020. This platform will allow fans to safely purchase tickets from other fans, through an official UEFA sales channel. This eliminates the risk of acquiring invalid or fraudulent tickets and ensures that sellers receive their money in full.

Hospitality packages
There will be official hospitality packages for all stadiums from 12 June 2019. There is a range of options, including private suites, business lounges and a club with a more casual setting. For more information, visit euro2020.com/hospitality

UEFA’s Head of National Association Business Development, Noel Mooney will commence the secondment on June 3rd as the FAI builds for the future and continues to work in partnership with key stakeholders to achieve good governance.

Noel Mooney will spend six months with the FAI in the role before returning to UEFA, as agreed, on November 30th.  He will initially assess the FAI’s requirements and will co-ordinate future support and expertise in finance and other areas from UEFA and FIFA.

The appointment of Noel Mooney will allow Rea Walshe to take up the role of Chief Operating Officer where she will continue to lead the process of Governance and Reform.

In accordance with its Constitution and Rules, management and control of the Association continues to be vested in the Board of Directors. Neither Noel Mooney nor Rea Walshe will be members of the Board under this new interim arrangement.

FAI President Donal Conway said: "UEFA’s advice and support will be very important to the FAI as will Noel Mooney’s UEFA experience and knowledge. Noel Mooney will also play a key role in our engagements with all of our stakeholders as we deliver change for Irish football."

Noel Mooney said: "Working with all of our stakeholders, I am confident Irish football will emerge stronger and better over the next few months as we listen to the voices of those who want the game to succeed and are determined to deliver the radical reform required for Irish football.

"In my time with UEFA I have led teams across Europe developing football in many countries. Returning home to help the FAI with its challenges is something I will embrace as we deliver change with our highly committed staff and all our leagues, clubs and partners."

1️⃣2️⃣ host cities
2️⃣4️⃣ teams
3️⃣0️⃣ days
5️⃣1️⃣ matches

And... 3️⃣ million tickets available

Get yours now ▶️ euro2020.com/tickets 

New to the squad is Ireland Under-19 midfielder Luca Connell. The Liverpool-born youngster - who broke into the first team set-up at Bolton Wanderers this season - featured in last year's UEFA European Under-17 Championships.

"Luca deserves this opportunity," said McCarthy as he brings his squad to Faro, Portugal for a training camp ahead of the two Group D qualifiers.

"With midfielders Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan and Josh Cullen all on play-off duty with their clubs in the coming weeks, this is the perfect chance to get Luca into the squad.

"He has had a fine season with Bolton playing 15 times in total and even with their relegation troubles, he has impressed so many people. I know a number of big clubs have sent scouts to watch him so this is a chance to get him in to work with the senior players and see how he gets on."

McCarthy has cut his provisional squad down to 27 players, with 23 travelling to Portugal and the play-off quartet of Richard Keogh, Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane, and Josh Cullen set to join up in Dublin before the trip to Denmark.

Norway-based goalkeeper Sean McDermott comes in for the injured Kieran O’Hara, while Harry Arter, Jack Byrne, James Collins and Aiden O’Brien miss out.

The Irish players and management will gather in Faro from Tuesday with the Championship and League One play-offs now on their television schedule.

"We will miss the lads in Portugal but we will be tuning into their games," said McCarthy as he revealed his final squad to FAI.ie.

"I’m sure there will be divided loyalties when Glenn and Conor take on Richard but Josh might get a clean run at the support of the squad when Charlton play Sunderland.

"The benefit for us is that the four lads will be firing on all cylinders when they join up with the rest of the group in Dublin at the end of the month."

Preston North End duo Callum Robinson and Alan Browne, Bristol City’s Callum O’Dowda and Southampton striker Shane Long all travel to Portugal after returning to fitness, while Cardiff City defender Greg Cunningham and Aston Villa’s Scott Hogan feature under McCarthy for the first time.

Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic*), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
Forwards: David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Shane Long (Southampton), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Callum Robinson (Preston North End)

*Indicates the player is on loan

GET TICKETS FOR IRELAND V GIBRALTAR

The FAI is currently investigating betting patterns around Limerick’s game against Shelbourne on April 19th.

FAI Competitions Director Fran Gavin said: "We have received a UEFA report on the Shelbourne v Limerick fixture in April and are awaiting their report on the Cobh v Limerick game last Saturday.

"We have received correspondence from the Cobh Ramblers Board in relation to that match. The FAI remains committed to a zero tolerance stance on match fixing."

The tournament, which begins on Monday, June 3, will see Ireland face Bahrain, China and Mexico in Group C in Provence, France. It will be the first time since 2002 that Ireland have competed in the tournament and Stephen Kenny named his squad for the competition today. 

Stephen Mallon, who was on loan at A-League side Central Coast Mariners from Sheffield United last season, has been called into the Ireland U-21 for the first time as well as Derby County midfielder Jason Knight, who comes in for the injured Jake Doyle Hayes.

Brighton and Hove Albion striker Aaron Connolly also receives his first call-up having missed the Luxembourg win through injury whilst UCD goalkeeper Conor Kearns also comes into the squad having spent time with the squad in the home-based training camp in February. 

Barnet midfielder Jack Taylor receives his first international call-up for Ireland whilst Canice Carroll, who was on loan at Swindon Town last season, has also been brought into the squad for the June tournament. The squad includes seven SSE Airtricity League players, including three from UCD AFC.

"We're extremely excited about going to the Toulon tournament and this is a fantastic opportunity for the players to express themselves in one of the most prestigious under-age international tournaments," said U-21 manager Stephen Kenny. 

"We've never qualified for the European Championships at U-21 level so this tournament represents the highest level we'd have played at and we're set to play Mexico, China and Bahrain's Olympic squads, as they prepare to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

"It's also crucially important that we continue to build momentum throughout the year after the win over Luxembourg and looking ahead to the qualifiers in October and November.

"I'm delighted to welcome into the squad the likes of Stephen Mallon, Canice Carroll, Jason Knight, Tyreke Wilson and Aaron Connolly who set up to U-21 international level for the first time, and also Jack Taylor, who comes into his first Ireland squad."

Republic of Ireland U-21 Squad 

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Conor Kearns (UCD AFC).

Defenders: Darragh Leahy (Bohemians), Conor Masterson (Liverpool), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Liam Scales (UCD AFC), Lee O'Connor (Manchester United), Tyreke Wilson (Manchester City), Canice Carroll (Brentford).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Connor Ronan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Neil Farrugia (UCD AFC), Stephen Mallon (Sheffield United), Zach Elbouzedi (Waterford), Simon Power (Norwich City), Jack Taylor (Barnet), Jamie Lennon (St. Patrick's Athletic).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Aaron Drinan (Ipswich Town, on loan at Waterford), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion).