World Youth Cup: The National League's representation in the Republic of Ireland under-20 squad that leaves for the World Youth Cup in the United Arab Emirates next week rose to five yesterday when manager Gerry Smith named Longford Town's Seán Dillon as the replacement for the injured Stephen Brennan (Newcastle) who withdrew on Monday.
Dillon joins clubmate Stephen Paisley, Liam Kearney and Kevin Doyle (both Cork City) and Bray Wanderers' Eamon Zayed (who was called up on Tuesday as a replacement for Charlton's Adrian Deane) in the squad which opens its campaign in Al Ain against Saudi Arabia on November 29th, before playing the Ivory Coast and Mexico in the first round group phase.
"Seán has been playing very well and, like a few others, was close to being included in the original panel," said Smith.
"It now means we have five players from eircom League clubs in the squad which shows how strong the league is, with a lot of good young players."
Dillon, who joined Longford after being released by Aston Villa last year, is a graduate of the Football Association of Ireland's first REAP (Reinvention, Education, Appraisal and Preparation) programme at Dublin City University, a course designed for young players who return from Britain. He is currently in his final year of an architectural engineering course at Coláiste Ide in Finglas.
"I was a bit disappointed not to be in the original squad," said Dillon. "I had been playing well for Longford and just before the squad was announced we'd won the FAI Cup and I'd had one of my best games for the club, so it was a bit of a comedown not to be included - but I always thought that if anyone got injured I might have a chance. I'm buzzing now. You don't get many chances like these and I can't wait for it."
Meanwhile, Sean Thornton's prospects of making the trip remain in doubt because of an ankle ligament injury picked up in a reserve game three weeks ago.
The Sunderland player will hope to prove his fitness when Ireland play Paraguay in a friendly at Richmond Park, Inchicore next Wednesday before leaving for the United Arab Emirates the next day.
"The injury is frustrating and it has come at a bad time but there's nothing I can do apart from make sure I come back fitter and stronger," he said.
"I started running last week but felt some pain in my ankle. It meant I had to rest for a few more days and it has put me back. The World Cup looks as though it might come too soon now, but I'll wait and see.
"It would be a blow to miss out because it's a good tournament, but on the plus side, it would mean I can get fit and maybe get back in the Sunderland team quicker."
REVISED SQUAD: Henderson (Aston Villa), Murphy (Swansea City), Fitzgerald (Blackburn Rovers), Kearney, Doyle (both Cork City), Ward (Kidderminster Harriers), Potter, Foley (both Liverpool), Paisley, Dillon (both Longford Town), McCarthy, Flood, Elliott (all Manchester City), Whelan (Manchester City, on loan at Bury), Bell (Rushden and Diamonds), Capper (Scarborough), Kelly (Tottenham, on loan at Watford), Daly (Stockport County), Thornton (Sunderland), Zayed (Bray Wanderers).
