Corey Sheridan joins Gavin McAteer and Josh Cullen with Ireland Under-17 call-up

Corey Sheridan becomes the third Donegal player to be called into the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad for friendlies in Czechia this month.

The Ballyshannon man joins Donegal Town native Josh Cullen and Gavin McAteer from Milford in Colin O’Brien’s squad that will face Czechia, Switzerland and Turkiye over the next week.

It’s a first call-up for Sheridan, who has played seven times for Finn Harps this season, keeping four clean sheets.

Sheridan had been representing Northern Ireland at underage level, but has switched to the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

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His fellow Finn Harps teammates, Cullen and McAteer have been involved with the squad previously and will be keen to make an impact in the three matches ahead of the World Cup, which takes place in November.

It means the trio will miss the Harps' First Division match against Longford Town this Friday in Bishopsgate.

O’Brien has said the games in Czechia this week will be a huge test for his players. He said: “The three games against Czechia, Switzerland and Türkiye are as tough as you can get in international football but we’re looking forward to the games. We played three matches against tough opposition in June and now we face a further three challenging games. They will be a big test but this is exactly what is required for the group to prepare for the World Cup in Qatar in November.”

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17 Squad

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

Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia),  Josh O’Connor (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Ade Solanke (Lorient), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD).

Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (UCD), Billy Hayes (St. Patrick's Athletic), Brody Lee (Cork City), Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).

International Friendly Fixtures

Wednesday, September 3rd | Czechia v Ireland, Stadium Jesenice, Czechia, KO 16:00

Friday, September 5th | Ireland v Switzerland, Stadium Mnichovo Hradište, Czechia, KO 16:00

Sunday, September 7th | Türkiye v Ireland, Stadium Mnichovo Hradište, Czechia, KO 10:00