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24th Jan 2019

Stephen Kenny includes Keith Andrews on Ireland U-21 coaching team

Robert Redmond

Andrews won 35 caps for Ireland.

Stephen Kenny has named his first squad as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager.

Kenny selected a home-based squad for two days of training and a match against the Ireland amateur team on February 6. All of the squad play in the League of Ireland, apart from two players who ply their trade in the Irish League.

The future senior Ireland manager also confirmed the details of his background team. Jim Crawford has left his position as Ireland U-18 coach to become Kenny’s assistant and there is also a place on the team for Keith Andrews.

Stephen Kenny namechecks several talented young Irish footballers

The former Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, who earned 35 caps for Ireland, will be an assistant coach with the U-21 side.

Andrews retired from playing in 2015 and has been working in the media since.

He was part of the coaching staff with the Ireland U-17 team for the European Championships in 2017 and is currently on working on obtaining his Uefa Pro Licence.

The Ireland U-21 side begin their qualification campaign for the European Championships with a game against Luxembourg at Tallaght Stadium on March 24.

Italy, Sweden, Iceland and Armenia are the other teams in Ireland’s group.

Kenny will become Ireland senior team manager in August 2020.

Here is the full squad for the training camp in February:

Goalkeepers: Conor Kearns (UCD), Ross Treacy (Dundalk).

Defenders: Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Darragh Leahy (Bohemians), Conor McCarthy (Cork City), Trevor Clarke (Shamrock Rovers), Liam Scales (UCD), John Mahon (Sligo Rovers).

Midfielders: Dan Mandriou (Bohemians), Will Fitzgerald (Limerick), Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), JJ Lunney (Waterford), Jamie Lennon (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie McCourt (Bohemians).

Forwards: Ronan Hale (Crusaders), Neil Farrugia (UCD), Michael O’Connor (Linfield), Will Fitzgerald (Limerick), Zach Elbouzedi (Waterford), Karl O’Sullivan (Limerick).

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