Gerry Smith’s Irish Amateur team have completed their preparation for the UEFA Regions Cup finals which will be held in Croatia from the 15th – 20th June and they are in  Zagreb as they face Spain in their first game of the eight nation tournament on Monday, June 15th.

Smith has selected a 20 man squad for the Regions Cup finals in Zagreb, that includes 3 Co. Tipperary players namely; James Walsh who captain's the side, his St. Michael's team-mate Paul Breen and Adrian Walsh from Carrick United from Carrick-on-Suir that play their football in Co. Waterford.

Gerry Smith’s side have completed two training camps in Italy and Portugal since April maintaining an unbeaten record in four games against Italian and Portuguese opposition. The Irish team containing players from the Leinster and Munster area under the captaincy of James Walsh completed their warm up with an impressive 1-0 victory over the Irish Colleges and University last Sunday.

Irish manager, Gerry Smith hoped to carry his sides inspiring form to the UEFA Regions Cup but urged caution over complacency, “There is no doubt that we go into this Regions Cup as complete underdogs. The preparation for the finals has been brilliant. Along with the exercise in Italy, we spent a number of days in Portugal and defeated two quality sides in a friendly. It was never about the results in the two games, it was about learning how the players adapt in the heat, their recovery and how they interact as a group. We will go into the finals looking to cause an upset amongst some of the top teams in Europe at this level and do our country proud.”

“There is no margin for errors in a tournament such as this, it is a win or bust situation and with only one team emerging out of the group which contains Spain, Bosnia and Belgium, we will have to be at our very best,” added Smith.

UEFA Regions Cup – Fixtures
Monday June 15th
Republic of Ireland v Spain
Kick-off: 17.30 (local time)

Wednesday, June 17th
Republic of Ireland v Bosnia
Kick-off: 17.30 (local time)

Saturday, June 20th
Republic of Ireland v Belgium
Kick-off: 17.30 (local time)

Republic of Ireland squad:
Brendan O' Connell (Avondale Utd)
Adrian Walsh (Carrick Utd)
John Carroll (St. Kevins Boys)
Ross Carrig (Killester Utd)
Paul Mc Cabe (Crumlin Utd)
Wayne Byrne (Dublin Bus)
Ken Hoey (Rockmount FC)
James Walsh (St. Michaels FC) (Captain)
Paul Breen (St. Michaels FC)
William Molloy (Sheriff YC)
Danny Loughran (Crumlin Utd)
Alan O'Duffy (Bluebell Utd)
Wayne Callaghan (Wayside Celtic)
Declan O' Connell (Douglas Hall FC)
Laurence Dunne (Bangor Celtic)
Ray Whelehan (Wayside Celtic)
Derek Varian (Kinsale FC)
Dean Kelly (Tolka Rvs)
Peter Sherlock (Bluebell Utd)
David Lacey (Killester Utd).

 

Courtesy of FAI