Finn Harps trio called up for international duty for European qualifiers

Three young Finn Harps have been called up for international duty ahead of European Championship qualifiers.

Oisin Cooney, Gavin McAteer and Corey Sheridan have been drafted into Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland squads for qualifiers this week.

Goalkeeper Cooney will be a part of the Republic of Ireland Under-19 squad with midfielder McAteer in the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad while Sheridan, also a goalkeeper, has been named in the Northern Ireland Under-17 squad. 

Clonmany teenager Cooney and the Republic of Ireland Under-19s - managed by ex-Harps midfielder Tom Mohan - will play in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers in Germany with games against Finland, Slovenia and Germany.

Midfielder McAteer, from Milford, is on Colin O’Brien’s Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad that faces Belgium, Poland and Iceland in UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite Round qualifiers in Poland.

Cooney and McAteer will be absent for Harps’ next First Division encounter, a clash with Bray Wanderers at Finn Park on Friday night, due to their international missions. 

Andy Waterworth has called Ballyshannon lad Sheridan into his plans with the Northern Ireland Under-17s drawn in Group A7 along with hosts England, Slovenia and Israel, with the games being played at St George’s Park. That Northern Ireland squad also features former Harps academy player and Aghyaran native Cead McGrath, now on the books at Derry City.

Sheridan signed his first senior contract at Harps in February.

“Yes, I know everyone looks at the first team and I get that, but there is a lot of good happening underneath,” Harps manager Darren Murphy says.

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“If they stick together and the people at the football club stick together they will be okay. I don’t doubt that. I said to Ian when I took the job that I wasn’t here for the glory. 

“I am here to try to build the foundation and to allow someone coming after me to build the house. Hopefully I am putting the foundation in the right place. I will be there cheering them on and I will be delighted to see that happen.”