‘Dream come true’ as McAteer and Ireland advance in U17 World Cup

Gavin McAteer said being in his current position is a dream as he started in the Republic of Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay to top Group J at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The Milford man and Finn Harps midfielder started and played 62 minutes, along with clubmate and Donegal Town man Josh Cullen, as Ireland ended the group unbeaten following wins over Panama and Uzbekistan.

"It's a dream come true to be fair, something you dream about since you were a kid," Cullen said to RTÉ after the game on Tuesday.

"To make it happen, it's an honour to be fair.

"I don't think (Cullen and I) have played in a tournament this big so to both start today was a great moment for the two of us and the club."

McAteer was making a first start, following on from his substitute appearance in the opening match as they defeated Panama 4-1, while it was a first appearance for Cullen, with Ballyshannon’s Corey Cummins-Sheridan yet to feature.

Ireland defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 on Saturday, despite going one down after a goal from Abubakir Shukurullayev.

Grady McDonnell equalised before half time, and a Michael Noonan goal with 15 minutes to play ensured Ireland would go through to the last 32.

That came after Ireland won their opening game against Panama 4-1 last Wednesday, with Jaden Umeh, Kian McMahon-Brown, Noonan and Max Kovalevskis scoring for Colin O’Brien’s side, with Moises Richards hitting a late consolation for the Panamanians as McAteer came on with 12 minutes to play.

And while they couldn’t find the net against a stubborn and physical Paraguay side despite having chances, the draw was enough to ensure they topped the group."It was tough to be fair but every international game is tough," he said.

"We had good prep on them so we knew what we were coming into. They're very aggressive which I'm kind of used to playing in the First Division.

"I enjoyed it, it was tough but that's why you play the game."

And they will now face Canada in the last 32 on Friday at 3.15pm Irish time.

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The Canadians finished as runners-up in Group K, as all four teams ended on four points. A win over Uganda and draw with France in their opening two games set them up well, but a final game defeat to Chile made for a nervy ending with goal difference coming into play, although Canada missed an added time penalty that would have seen them top the group.

"Topping the group, that was the aim coming into it, so yeah we've topped the group, we'll see who we get now but we're just taking it game by game," he said.

"Whoever we get, we think we can beat. We'd back ourselves as a team, we back each other.

"We know how good we are, we know how good we can be so just taking it game by game."