SOCCER:Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens believes his side faces into their opening European Championship tie with great confidence after recent performances.

Givens today named a strong 18-man squad for the upcoming friendly against Spain in Waterford on March 27th, which will be followed four days later by a qualifier against Turkey at Turner’s Cross in Cork.

“It is a strong squad and we have good players in every position,” said Givens. “Our recent results have been very encouraging – in our last three matches we have beaten Lithuania and drawn with both Portugal and Germany – so we go into these matches on good form.”

Waterford-native Eddie Nolan is likely to take the captain’s armband, while Givens has also included Cork-born David Meyler after the Sunderland player impressed on his Under-21 debut in the game against Germany last month.

Jay O’Shea of Galway United and Bohemians’ Graham Carey are joined in the squad by Seamus Coleman, who recently joined Everton from Sligo Rovers.

Givens is delighted his side have the opportunity to play a side of the calibre of Spain as they fine tune their build-up to the start of their qualification campaign.

“Spain have qualified for this summer’s European Championship having won all eight of their qualification matches, so they are a very strong team. I am delighted to be playing a team like Spain because they are the sort of team we want to play to get ourselves ready for the next campaign,” said Givens.

“Turkey will also be strong, but we are happy that we have them at home in the first match of the new campaign. The game is in Turner’s Cross and we’re hoping for a big crowd to come along and support us on the night.

“The people of Cork have always been very good at supporting underage football, and that is a big plus for us as we go into this important match.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Under-21 squad v Spain & Turkey):Shane Redmond (Eastwood Town), Stephen Henderson (Bristol City), Brendan Moloney (Nottingham Forest), Michael Spillane (Luton Town), Eddie Nolan (Preston North End), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Stephen Gleeson (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McCarthy (Hamilton Academicals), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Michael Liddle (Carlisle United), Alan Judge (Plymouth Argyle), David Meyler (Sunderland), John-Joe O'Toole (Sheffield United), Jay O'Shea (Galway United), Graham Carey (Bohemians), Cillian Sheridan (Motherwell), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace).