News round-up: The Irish under-19 team kick off the second stage of their campaign to win a place at this summer's European Youth Championships in Switzerland when they take on hosts Belgium this evening in the first game of this week's four-nation mini-qualifying tournament.
Mark Yeates and Christopher Deans are suspended for today's game while Willo Flood and Henry McStay are struggling with injuries but team manager Seán McCaffrey is confident his side can come out on top of a group that also includes Norway and Serbia and Montenegro.
"We've got some exceptional players and we're capable of playing some good stuff," says McCaffrey. "It's not going to be easy but I believe we've got the players to beat anyone in the group."
McCaffrey, who has seen the Belgians play three times recently, is anxious his team take three points this evening before facing, on Friday, the Yugoslavia side who beat this group of Irish players in the under-17 Europeans two years ago.
Marcos Painter, the Birmingham City defender who qualifies to play for the Republic on the basis of his grandmother, is set to make his competitive debut for the team just five days after receiving his Irish passport.
Meanwhile, Irish international midfielder Barry Quinn has been released by Coventry City after eight years with the first division club. The 25-year-old never established himself as a first-team regular at Highfield Road although he did make 67 appearances during his time there.
During the past season he had spells on loan with Rushden and Diamonds, and Oxford United. City confirmed yesterday he is one of nine players - under-19 Ireland international winger Hussain Yazdani is another - whose contract will not be renewed.
Representatives of St Patrick's Athletic met Chelsea officials yesterday to discuss the establishment of links between the clubs. The arrangement would involve the English Premiership side helping St Patrick's with coaching and player development. Chelsea would be expected to play a number of friendly games in Dublin over the next few years if the deal is finalised. Yesterday's talks are said to have gone well and the two sides are expected to meet within 10 days.
