The Republic of Ireland under-16 team will be hoping to end a frustrating run in recent European championship competitions when they take on Latvia in Riga this afternoon.
The teams are in a three-nation qualification tournament along with Spain. The winners progress automatically to next summer's finals in England.
Manager Brian Kerr has taken a squad of 18 on the trip although his options were narrowed somewhat by an injury to Niall McCafferty of Charlton Athletic and the FAI's inability to get an Irish passport for Liverpool's Darren Potter before departure.
The timing of the game against Spain will depend on the outcome of today's game with the Spanish due to play the losers on Sunday and winners on Tuesday. One of the youngsters expected to make his competitive debut on the trip is Chris McGrath, son of former Irish senior international Paul.
SQUAD: M Cranley (Belvedere), D Kelly (Ipswich Town), K Sharkey (Belvedere), P Ennis (Aston Villa), J Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), C McGrath (Liverpool), C Kenna (Coventry City), E Keyes (Belvedere), G Whelan (Manchester City), I McGrane (Wolves), S Bradley (Arsenal), K Brennan (Home Farm), S Maguire (Belvedere), S Rice (Coventry City), P Keegan (Leeds United), R Shields (Leeds United), D Behan (Abbeyfeale).
