As the Irish under-16 team heads for the European Youth Olympics in Denmark at the weekend, Brian Kerr's under-18 team will gather in Dublin on Saturday to start their preparations for this month's European Championship in Sweden.
Most of Kerr's players have started pre-season training with their clubs over the past few days and only one, West Ham's Shaun Byrne, has reported any problems with regard to his fitness.
"He has a bit of a problem with his knee," said Kerr yesterday, "but I don't think it's going to be anything to worry about. He's coming in with everybody else at the weekend and as far as we know at the moment they're all more or less fine."
One of Kerr's most influential players over the past couple of seasons, Belfast-born Ger Crossley, may start the new season at Derby County. He joined up with the first-team squad for training last Friday, and will return to Derby after the European Championship.
"There hasn't been a decision taken on signing him yet," said a club spokesperson yesterday. "It's far too early for that, but he was asked to come along because we've heard great reports about him, and Jim Smith was interested in taking a look at him. So that's what happening at the moment."
The National League, meanwhile, has issued a list of approved friendlies for the coming three weeks with Shamrock Rovers against Boca Juniors looking the pick of the crop. The game is scheduled for Sunday, July 25th at Morton Stadium in Santry, but this would clash with the BLE's National Championships, so the match has been switched to Tolka Park.
Rovers will play for the first time at Morton Stadium when they face St Johnstone next Wednesday. The change is possible due to Shelbourne agreeing in principle to move their game against Rushden and Diamonds which may be brought forward 24 hours to Saturday the 24th, although that in turn depends on whether Dermot Keely's side get to go ahead with a game against Portadown which is pencilled in for the 23rd.
Chelsea are expected to include newly-signed £10 million striker Chris Sutton in their squad for the friendly at Omagh Town on July 27th. The match is one of three high-profile games being played to raise money for the Omagh Fund. The club confirmed yesterday that the match against Manchester United on August 3rd has already sold out while only a few tickets remain for the Chelsea and Liverpool (September 14th) ties.
