Gerry Smith’s side have prepared well for the finals since topping their group in the qualifying round in Hungary in October. Victories over East Hungary, FK Nevézis of Lithuania and Israeli outfit Hapoel SC Karmiel Tzfat saw Ireland through with a 100 per cent record.
The hosts will train at the FAI’s new training ground at Abbotstown this evening as part of their preparations for the meeting with the Turkish representatives.
“All the teams arrived in today and all of our players have settled in. Everybody is feeling good - We’re training this evening so let’s see how it goes,” said Smith.
“It’s a very tough challenge. Very tough. There are eight excellent sides here including ourselves and you can see that there’s no easy teams in this. We’re down to the nuts and bolts now.”
A good start is critical for any team with ambitions of topping their group and progressing to the final on Saturday, July 4, so Smith expects opening day butterflies to be a consideration for all eight sides tomorrow.
“It’s the same for everybody. The Turks are a very good side, we know all about them, they spent a week in a training camp in Istanbul last week ahead of the tournament so they’re really well primed for this game," he said.
“All teams have done what they’ve done. We’re down to predominantly the best eight teams in Europe. Our first game is against the Turkish side, they picked up nine points from their three qualifying games so let's see how it works out."
EASTERN REGION (IRL) SQUAD: Brendan O'Connell (Rockmount), David Meehan (Crumlin Utd), Paul Breen (St Michael's Tipperary), James Carr (St Michael's Tipperary), Ross Carrig (Crumlin Utd), Darren Dunne (Sheriff YC), Lar Dunne (Bangor Celtic), Thomas Dunne (St Patrick's CY), Dean Gibbons (Kilbarrack United), Christopher Higgins (St Michael's Tipperary), Ken Hoey (Rockmount), David Lacey (Killester United), James Lee (Crumlin Utd), Kevin Lynch (Sheriff YC), Greg Moorhouse (Crumlin Utd), Paul Murphy (Sheriff YC), Noel Murray (Tolka Rovers), Conor Riddick (Bangor Celtic), Jonathan Rock (Sheriff YC), Rilwan Sule (Bluebell United).
FIXTURES
Friday, June 26
Group A
South Moravia (Czech Republic) v Tuzla (Bosnia & Herzegovina), UCD Bowl (3.00pm)
Eastern Region (IRL) v Ankara (Turkey), Tallaght Stadium (7.00pm)
Group B
Zagreb (Croatia) v Dolnośląski (Poland), Carlisle Grounds (3.00pm)
Eastern Region (NIR) v Württemberg (Germany), Whitehall (7.00pm)
Sunday, June 28
Group A
Eastern Region (IRL) v South Moravia, Tallaght Stadium (3.00pm)
Ankara v Tuzla, UCD Bowl (3.00pm)
Group B
Zagreb v Eastern Region (NIR), Richmond Park, Dublin (12.00pm)
Dolnośląski v Württemberg, Whitehall (12.00pm)
Wednesday, July 1
Group A
Tuzla v Eastern Region (IRL), Tallaght Stadium (7.00pm)
Ankara v South Moravia, Carlisle Grounds (7.00pm)
Group B
Württemberg v Zagreb, Whitehall (3.00pm)
Dolnośląski v Eastern Region (NIR), Tolka Park (3.00pm)