FAI Amateurs Head Coach Davis relishing joust with FAI Under 20s Select at Whitehall
AFTER an enforced two-year absence as a result of Covid-19, international football returns for the FAI Amateurs – albeit a friendly against Jim Crawford’s Under 20 when the two sides meet in Whitehall this evening, kick-off 7.30pm.
FAI Amateur manager Gerry Davis had his squad in for a training session last Saturday at the AUL Complex – the first opportunity to assemble the players following the recent Region 1 versus Region 2 Test Match.
That game – won 3-0 by Region 1- determined which region would represent the Football Association of Ireland in October’s round-robin qualifier which will be hosted by Bulgaria and will also be contested with teams from Romania and San Marino.
The group winner will then progress to the 2023 UEFA Regions finals at a venue yet to be determined.
This evening’s meeting at Home Farm’s ground is an opportunity for players from both sides to impress their respective head coach and with a tradition of previous tight encounters, it has all the ingredients for an excellent night’s entertainment.
Said Gerry Davis: “Because of the schedule we’ve only managed to get one training session in, but the game itself is a great challenge for us and we have a lot of talent within our own group, so we’re really looking forward to the match.
“These games are always competitive and Jim has named a talented squad, so we expect a tough encounter and it’s a fixture the players and staff are really looking forward to.”
“It’s been a long two years without a competitive fixture for the grade, so just to get back onto the playing field is such a welcome bonus and we’ll look to deliver a performance and move on to the challenges that lie ahead in the qualifying campaign.”
Davis can call on experienced campaigners Brendan O’Connell (Rockmount AFC) and Jimmy Carr (St Michaels FC, Tipperary) both of whom were members of the FAI squad which won the UEFA Regions Cup at Tallaght Stadium in July 2015 when East Regions defeated Zagreb one-nil thanks to David Lacey’s 10th minute goal.
Davis has several talented performers in the current squad and Nathan Broderick of Rockmount AFC netted twice in that recent Regions Cup Test game while club colleague Luke Casey was also on the mark and both will be looking to add to their international goal tally.
GOALKEEPERS: Brendan O’Connell – Rockmount FC
Gary Cunningham – Westport Utd
DEFENDERS: Adam Crowley – Rockmount FC
Eoin Murphy – Rockmount FC
Glen Daly – Malahide Utd
Jack McMullen – Home Farm FC
John Barry – Tolka Rovers FC
Lee McColgan – Cockhill Celtic.
Sean Rodgers – Killester Donnycarney
MIDFIELDERS: Luke Casey – Rockmount FC
AJ O Connor – Fairview Rangers
Jimmy Carr – St Michaels FC
Shane Ryan – St Michaels FC
Nathan Broderick – Rockmount FC (pictured above)
Aaron Humphreys – Kilbarrack Utd
Stephen Chambers -Killester Donnycarney
Michael Fox – Salthill Devon FC
FORWARDS
Jimmy McHugh – Oliver Bond Celtic
Eoin Hayes – Newmarket Celtic
Martin O Sullivan – Blarney Utd
Sam Burgess -Killester Donnycarney
