Limerick duo named on the Republic of Ireland amateur squad for Regions Cup qualifiers

Republic of Ireland Amateur International manager Gerry Davis has named his squad for the UEFA Regions Cup qualifying phase.

Limerick duo AJ O’Connor and Chris Smith have both been named on the Republic of Ireland amateur squad for the UEFA Regions Cup qualifying phase.

Both were part of the recent squad that faced Northern Ireland in a pair of friendlies. O’Connor plays his club soccer with Fairview Rangers while Smith is with Aisling Annacotty.

Davis has named an 18-man squad for the three qualifying fixtures with Ireland set to take on San Marino on Tuesday, October 25, with kick-off at 9am, Romania on Friday, October 28, with kick-off at 9am and finally, Bulgaria on Monday, October 31, with kick-off at 1pm.

14 UEFA Regions Cup debutants have been named in the squad having impressed in the recent four-match winning streak in back-to-back matches against Wales and Northern Ireland.

Rockmount’s Brendan O’Connell is set to captain the side having been one of only two players selected to have won the Regions Cup in 2015, the other being St. Michael’s midfielder Jimmy Carr.

This will be the first edition of the UEFA Regions Cup since the 2018/19 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republic of Ireland Squad – UEFA Regions Cup Qualifying

Goalkeepers: Brendan O’Connell (Rockmount), Gary Cunningham (Westport United)
Defenders: Adam Crowley (Rockmount), Jack McMullen (Home Farm), Jack Parke (Bonagee United), Aaron Humphries (Kilbarrack United), Lee McColgan (Cockhill Celtic), Chris Smith (Aisling Annacotty)
Midfielders: Stephen Chambers (Killester Donnycarney), Eoin Murphy (Rockmount), Luke Casey (Rockmount), Nathan Broderick (Rockmount), AJ O’Connor (Fairview Rangers), Jimmy Carr (St. Michael’s)
Forwards: Eoin Hayes (Newmarket Celtic), Sam Burgess (Killester Donnycarney), Shane Stritch (Bluebell United), Jimmy McHugh (Oliver Bond Celtic).

Six players have also been selected for the stand-by list and they are as follows: Mark Power (Cobh Wanderers), Mikey Fox (Salthill Devon), Adam Conway (Villa FC), Glen Daly (Malahide United), Adam Murphy (Coachford AFC), Jack Kelly (Kilbarrack United).

Fixtures – UEFA Regions Cup Qualifying

25/10 – Ireland v San Marino, 9am
28/10 – Ireland v Romania, 9am
31/10 – Ireland v Bulgaria, 1pm

All matches to be played at Albena, Bulgaria.