Harps trio set for World Cup opener with Panama

Donegal trio Corey Cummins-Sheridan, Josh Cullen, and Gavin McAteer will hope to feature for the Republic of Ireland Under 17 team when they kick off their World Cup adventure today (12.30pm Irish time) against Panama in Qatar.
The squad have been training in Doha for the last four days as they prepare for their opening games in Group J with temperatures reaching up to 32C.
Ireland are drawn in a group with the Panamanians, Uzbekistan and Paraguay and will face each opposition at the Aspire Zone in Doha City.
Ireland have no injury concerns with Michael Noonan rejoining the squad on Sunday after taking part in Shamrock Rovers’ final league against Sligo Rovers. Finn Sherlock also met up with the team having flown in directly from his club Hoffenheim.
Ireland Under 17 Head Coach Colin O’Brien said: “Everybody is really looking forward to the World Cup now. Since we’ve arrived in Qatar the players can see it’s a real professional set-up. Everything has been laid on for them infrastructure, hotel, training ground.
“Now everyone is bursting to get going in the tournament, we kick-off tomorrow against Panama it’s our opener and that’s what we’ve been focused on. The tournament itself kicked-off yesterday so there’s a real buzz around the hotel as there’s a few teams staying here. We’re itching to get going.”

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17 FIFA World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Corey Cummins-Sheridan (Finn Harps).

Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Cork City), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Jaden Umeh (SL Benfica).