Stokes named in Ireland U-21 squad
by Nick Royle, 07 May 2008
Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has named Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes and Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Darren Randolph in his squad for May’s Inter Continental Cup in Malaysia.
Givens has named a 19-man squad and will add one more player to the panel before departing for Malaysia.
It suggests that Stokes and Randolph will not be involved in the senior squad for the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia on May 24 and May 29.
Ireland face Iraq on May 15. The Irish will then face host nation Malaysia two days later before taking on Nigeria on May 19.
The second group consists of Croatia, Argentina, Ghana and Australia, with the top two teams from each group entering the semi-finals.
There are first call-up's for Nottingham Forest duo Shane Redmond and Alan Power, Manchester City striker Karl Moore, Yeovil Town attacker Stephen Maher, and Huddersfield forward James Berrett.
“We have a very young squad going out”, said Givens.
“The Scottish season is still underway and there are play-off matches to be played in England so we decided not to call-up any player who may be involved in those matches. We also decided not to involve any eircom League of Ireland players, who are currently mid-season.
“The eircom League of Ireland managers have been very co-operative with me in the past and so I don’t want to call-up players who have important league matches to play.
“The other teams involved in the tournament are all Under-23, so we will have the youngest squad there. However, I think that it is a great opportunity to have a look at players who will be eligible for the next Under-21 qualifying campaign.”
Republic of Ireland U-21 squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph [Charlton Athletic], Shane Redmond [Nottingham Forest].
Defenders: Eddie Nolan [Blackburn Rovers], Darren Dennehy [Everton], Michael Spillane [Norwich City], Shane Lowry [Aston Villa], Keith Keane [Luton Town].
Midfielders: Stephen Quinn [Sheffield United], Michael Collins [Huddersfield], Alan Power [Nottingham Forest], Ian Morris [Scunthorpe United], Keith Treacy [Blackburn Rovers], Marc Wilson [Portsmouth].
Forwards: Anthony Stokes [Sunderland], Billy Clarke [Ipswich Town], Karl Moore [Manchester City], James Berrett [Huddersfield], Alan Judge [Blackburn Rovers], Stephen Maher [Yeovil Town].