Colin O’Brien’s side go into the tournament as top seeds following an impressive qualification campaign that saw them win six games from six - all away from home.
This is the second year in succession the Under-17’s have played at the Finals, with last year’s quarter-final appearance the best yet since the tournament was regraded in 2000.
O’Brien can call on five players from last year’s edition in Croatia with team captain Nathan Collins, top scorer Adam Idah, Southampton defender Kameron Ledwidge, Wolves midfielder Callum Thompson and Aston Villa’s Tyreik Wright back for a second appearance at the Finals.
The Under-17 World Champions, England, host the tournament ahead of the 2019 competition being held in Ireland. Interest in the Republic of Ireland games has been unprecedented, with the second group game against Denmark and the third game against Bosnia & Herzegovina, both of which take place in St George’s Park, already selling out.
With 18 goals in six qualification matches, Ireland, Spain and Norway were the most profilic scorers on the road to England, all averaging three goals per game. Ireland forward Idah comes into the tournament as the top scorer in Europe, with his tally of eight goals putting the Corkman top of the charts.
Speaking ahead of the opening game, Ireland Head Coach Colin O’Brien was pleased with how preparations have gone to date. “Everything has gone really well so far. We are ready to embrace the challenge of the first game,” he said.
“Belgium will be a formidable outfit, they have had a very strong youth development structure and system within their country for the last number of years – you can see that in some of the players they have produced. They’ll be a very possession based team, will have a lot of pace throughout and will have a little bit about them on the counter attack as well. I think it will be a very good game between two really good teams.”
With the close proximity of the tournament to Ireland and the large Irish community based in the UK, demand for tickets has been high, with Irish fans expected to turn out in big numbers.
“We know how good the Irish support can be. It will be great to get that this week as we will need it. These tournaments are all about the three games in the group to start. They’ll all pose different challenges and any extra support we can get that will help us will be very much appreciated,” O’Brien added.
Republic of Ireland Under 17 Squad
1. Kian Clarke
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Shamrock Rovers
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Clean Sheets: 5
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin South
From: Tallaght, Dublin
2. Max Murphy
Position: Defender
Club: Stoke City
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Arklow
From: Ballybrack, Dublin
3. Kameron Ledwidge
Position: Defender
Club: Southampton
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Finglas, Dublin
4. Oisin McEntee
Position: Defender
Club: Newcastle United
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 5
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dundalk
From: Shercock, Cavan
5. Nathan Collins (Captain)
Position: Defender
Club: Stoke City
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin South
From: Leixlip, Kildare
6. Jason Knight
Position: Midfielder
Club: Derby County
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Arklow
From: Loughlinstown, Dublin
7. Callum Thompson
Position: Midfielder
Club: Wolves
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Arklow
From: Greystones, Wicklow
8. Barry Coffey
Position: Midfielder
Club: Celtic
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Limerick
From: Nenagh, Tipperary
9. Adam Idah
Position: Forward
Club: Norwich City
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 8
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Cork
From: Douglas, Cork
10. Troy Parrott
Position: Forward
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 5
Goals: 1
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Summerhill, Dublin
11. Sean Brennan
Position: Midfielder
Club: Southampton
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 3
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Hartstown, Dublin
12. Marc Walsh
Position: Midfielder
Club: Swansea City
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Letterkenny
From: Gweedore, Donegal
13. Ray O’Sullivan
Position: Defender
Club: Wolves
2018 Qualifying Appearances: -
Goals: -
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Rush, Dublin
14. Adam O’Reilly
Position: Midfielder
Club: Preston North End
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 4
Goals: 1
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Cork
From: Mahon, Cork
15. Jordan McEneff
Position: Forward
Club: Arsenal
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 2
Goals: 0
From: Derry
16. Jimmy Corcoran
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Cherry Orchard
2018 Qualifying Appearances: -
Clean Sheets: -
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dundalk
From: Kells, Meath
17. Tyriek Wright
Position: Forward
Club: Aston Villa
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 6
Goals: 2
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Cork
From: Ovens, Cork
18. Luca Connell
Position: Defender
2018 Qualifying Appearances: 2
Goals: 0
Club: Bolton Wanderers
From: Liverpool, England
19. Ryan Cassidy
Position: Forward
Club: Watford
2018 Qualifying Appearances: -
Goals: -
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Castleknock, Dublin
20. Conor Grant
Position: Midfielder
Club: Sheffield Wednesday
2018 Qualifying Appearances: -
Goals: -
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Donabate, Dublin
23. Sean Bohan
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Bohemians
2018 Qualifying Appearances: -
Clean Sheets: -
Emerging Talent Programme Centre of Excellence: Dublin North
From: Santry, Dublin
Group C Fixtures
Denmark v Bosnia & Herzegovina, 12.30pm Saturday 5 May, Loughborough University Stadium
Republic of Ireland v Belgium, 5.45pm Saturday 5 May, Loughborough University Stadium. Tickets available HERE
Republic of Ireland v Denmark, 1pm Tuesday 8 May, St. George's Park. SOLD OUT
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Belgium, 7pm Tuesday 8 May, Rotherham United
Belgium v Denmark, 1pm Friday 11 May, Chesterfield FC
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Republic of Ireland, 1pm Friday 11 May, St. George's Park. SOLD OUT