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THE Republic of Ireland U18 head coach Paul Doolin has named his squad to play two friendly internationals against Portugal next week.

Doolin's charges will meet the Portuguese in Abrantes next Tuesday, December 16, then meet the same opponents on Thursday, December 18, in Bonitos. Both games will kick-off at 3.00pm.

“This is a similar opportunity to what we had with the current U19 squad when we started with them in a couple of under-18 games in the Czech Republic earlier this year,” said Doolin.

“That was a great exercise and this is also important for us to see the players first hand and to work with them. The clubs have stopped some players from coming with us but that’s not surprising as it’s not a FIFA week and you’ll always lose some in that situation.

“But I think it’s a decent squad we’ll have us with some good home-based players too. Portugal will be tough so we should learn a lot about the squad.

“As far as we’re concerned it’s about next year’s U19s primarily but if players can do the things that we want from them both attacking wise and defensively I think it’ll be a useful exercise.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U18 SQUAD:

Matthew Connor (Waterford United)

Evan Moran (West Bromwich Albion)

Colm Deasy (Southampton)

Anthony Dolan (Fulham)

Jack Tuite (Derby County)

Nathan Benson (Shamrock Rovers)

Ross Taheny (Sligo Rovers)

Stephen Best (Bohemians)

Evan Osam (Shamrock Rovers)

George Poynton (Dundalk)

Kyron Farrell (Millwall)

Adam Mc Donnell (Ipswich Town)

Graham Kelly (Sheffield United)

Shane Elworthy (Fulham)

Nathan Corkery (QPR)

Frankie Mulhern (Leeds United)

Richard Purdy (Shamrock Rovers)

Troy Carey (UCD AFC)

Khius Metz (Burnley)

FIXTURES

Tuesday, December 16

U18 International Friendly

Portugal v Republic of Ireland, Estádio Municipal, Abrantes (3.00pm)

Thursday, December 18

U18 International Friendly

Portugal v Republic of Ireland, Complexo Desportivo, Bonitos (3.00pm