Head coach Gerry Davis has named a panel of Irish Amateur players to play Stephen Kenny’s Under 21’s (home-based players) squad in Whitehall on Wednesday the February 6 (7.45pm kick-0ff)
Gary Neville and Stephen McGann of Pike Rovers has been included in the initial squad with Limerick duo Shane Clarke (Janesboro) and Chris Smith (Abbeyfeale) on the reserve list.
Gary Neville is a goalkeeper for Pike Rovers who enjoyed an outstanding 2018. He was instrumental in guiding his club to the final of the FAI Junior Cup where they suffered an agonising defeat to Wexford’s North End United which was played in the Aviva Stadium. However, Rovers did claim the Munster Junior Cup after beating Janesboro in the final. Neville made some crucial stops and helped guide his side to victory in the penalty shootout.
In action: Neville in the FAI Junior Cup final. (Photo credit: Peter Fitzpatrick of ETPhotos)
Pike Rovers central midfielder Steven McGann was instrumental in his side’s progression to both the FAI Junior Cup and the Munster Junior Cup. The former Limerick FC player scored the equaliser in the final of the latter competition as he curled a sweet left-foot strike into the bottom corner. The former Irish Junior international also scored in the FAI Junior Cup final with a first-time strike with his left foot.
Shane Clarke of Janesboro is among the standby players as he helped guide his club to the Munster Junior Cup final last year. Clarke scored his team’s only goal on the day but it wasn’t to be as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Pike Rovers. The talented striker has represented Limerick FC in the past and will be ready if manager Gerry Davis calls upon him.
Chris Smith is also on standby for the Irish amateurs squad. The Abbeyfeale man played a crucial role in helping his side regain the Desmond Premier League last season. He was previously called in to the Republic of Ireland amateur panel that faced Northern Ireland. Smith has also trained with the Regions Cup squad as the talented defender will be more than capable of stepping up to the mark if required.
The following players are included in the selection:
Brendan O Connell (Rockmount FC ) Gary Neville (Pike Rovers ) Jordan Buckley (Usher Celtic) Mark Horgan (Avondale Utd ) Shane Stritch (Bluebell Utd) Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic) Noel Murray (St Mochtas FC) Christopher McCarthy (Mayfield FC) Shane Ryan ( St Michaels ) Niall Brennan (Carbury FC)
Stephen Mc Gann ( Pike Rovers) Conor Tourish ( Letterkenny Rovers) Liam Brady (Crumlin Utd ) Stephen Kelly (Newmarket Celtic) Thomas Hyland (Crumlin Utd ) Colm Carney ( Trim Celtic) Enda Curran ( Mervue Utd ) Paul Murphy (Sheriff YC) Jimmy Carr (St Michaels FC)
Standby Players: Brian Fitzgerald (Cobh Wanderers), Alan Mc Greal (Crumlin Utd), Mikey Quinn (Crumlin Utd), Shane Clarke (Janesboro FC), Chris Smith (Abbeyfeale Utd), Sean Guerins (St. Michaels FC).
Claire Schoenemann 
Áine Gleeson 
James Roulston Mooney