Ireland U17s - Euro 2017

Excellent stuff.

The lads have just come from a goal down at half time beat Ukraine 3:1, topping the group with a 100% record. Adam Idah with another 2 tonight. That's 7 in the 3 games for him.

GB 1HughJarse wrote: I stopped following the tournament after we were knocked out, just checked the final results, England were beaten on penalties in the final.....start them young in Engerland

 

I'd guess we'd have 1 or 2 who will progress to the senior team. I'd be surprised if any England players make it. Germany will probably get around 4 or 5 senior internationals but I'd say a lot of their players will have reasonably decent careers.

A great experience today, from navigating the Zagreb transport system and being guided all the way by friendly locals to the game itself and the sound people we met.

Well done to the lads today, they stuck at it all the way through. They were understandably setup very defensively all the way through, hoping no doubt to nick a late goal and they weren't too far away. It was very hot during the first half. There was nothing Maher could have done for the goal, it was a great shot to the top corner. He had a great game, strong and important saves. It was great to see the pride and passion in the boys today, they gave everything. Nolan, in particular, had a great fighting spirit wanting to push on for an equaliser. To come out with that result against the pre-tournament favourites is an achievement. Qualifying for the finals for the first time in 20 years and reaching the quarter finals is a great achievement.

We shouldn't forget that the boys have achieved all of this on an uneven playing field against young lads who have been in premier league academies since 7 or 8 years of age or, in the case of the Germans, in boarding academies from the same young age. The parents of our lads also go to great lengths to support their boys around the world.

Fair play to all.

WillieMaley wrote: Do any of these kids have the potential to make it to the big leagues?  Also, I seen only a few are selected for academies in England. Hopefully a few more go over, or grabbed the attention of scouts.

That Adam Idah fella seems like a good prospect, wouldn't be surprised to see an English club come in for him soon

Do any of these kids have the potential to make it to the big leagues? 

pre Madonna wrote: I think it very much will, if they go out and give a decent account of themselves then there is a case for their mentality. On the other hand, if they take another humping with heads dropping like flies it will show an issue with their mindset and 'terrific', nice a fella and all that he is, will also have to take some criticism.