Newmarket Celtic duo Stephen Kelly and Eoin Hayes have been selected on the Irish squad for the UEFA Regions Cup.
Kelly and Hayes are the only Clare representatives on the eighteen man squad chosen by manager Gerry Davis. They will take on Italy, FYR Macedonia and Slovenia in Lake Garda at the end of the month.
Captain Ken Hoey, Brendan O’Connell both of the Rockmount club plus St Michael’s duo Jimmy Carr and Chris Higgins are the only members of last year’s squad that claimed the title under the management of Gerry Smith.
Current boss Gerry Davis was coach of the 2015 victorious side and the performance of the selected members of the squad impressed during recent trials. “It’s a new era but we have some extremely talented players and there is a great enthusiasm and a new dynamic to the squad and I’ve been impressed by everyone’s attitude.”
Davis added “It should never be lost on anyone that these are amateurs players who are making a massive sacrifice to pull on the green-shirt and represent their country. It’s the equivalent of playing in the Champions League for grassroots players and there is a lot of pride in what they have achieved in making the squad, but we know there are tough tests ahead. We’ll prepare in as professional a way as possible and give it our best shot possible”.
His squad is a selection of players from Munster and Connacht and their first game is against Italy on September 28th. Next up is FYR Macedonia on September 30th and their final group clash sees them take on Slovenia on October 2nd.
Chairman of the CDSL, Oliver Fitzpatrick congratulated Kelly and Hayes on the achievement. “Eoin and Stephen are two of the best soccer players in the country and it’s great to see their hard work and dedication to the game being recognised by Ireland manager Gerry Davis”.
Squad:
Ken Hoey Rockmount
Mark Power College Corinthians
Brendan O’Connell Rockmount
Chris Higgins St Michaels
Stephen Kelly Newmarket Celtic
Conor Griffin Calry Bohs
Mark Horgan Avondale
Danny O’Neill Janesboro
Pa Mullins Pike Rovers
Shane Daly Butz UCC
Stephen Bradley Janesboro
Hughie O’Donovan Avondale
Brian Murphy Avondale
Andrew Gannon Avondale
Jimmy Carr St Michaels FC
David Joyce Clonmel Celtic.
Eoin Hayes Newmarket Celtic
David Hoban Westport
Stand by players:
Cillian McGlade Manulla
Kevin O Connell Mayfield
Chris Fox Douglas Hall
Damian Shannon Carbury
Alex Purcell Carew Park
Gary Neville Pike Rovers