Northern Ireland U19s boss Stephen Frail will begin his preparations for next year’s Men’s U19 Euros on home soil with a couple of challenge matches against Faroe Islands.
Game one takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 3 September) at Stangmore Park in Dungannon (7pm start), while the second match is on Thursday at Newry Showgrounds (1pm kick-off).
Frail’s 21-strong group features several players who have made the step up from his U17 squad – and several players who were once part of JD Club NI, the Irish Football Association’s elite player development programme.
Also in the panel is Glenavon defender Patrick Burns, brother of U21 international Bobby Burns. Burns captained Northern Ireland’s U18 Schoolboys to Centenary Shield glory last season.
Five other members of that victorious Centenary Shield squad - Callum Ferris, Jake Corbett, Liam Hassin, Ryan Carmichael and Trai Hume - have also made the panel.
Northern Ireland will host the eight-team 2020 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals from 19 July to 1 August next year, with matches being played in Belfast, Ballymena, Lurgan and Portadown.
Northern Ireland U19s v Faroe Islands squad:
Goalkeepers – Liam Hughes (Celtic), Dermot Mee (Manchester United), Scott Pengelly (Fleetwood Town).
Defenders – Jack Scott (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sam McClelland (Chelsea), Daniel Finlayson (Rangers), Kyle McClelland (Rangers), Dean Corrigan (Ballinamallard United), Jake Corbett (Linfield), Patrick Burns (Glenavon).
Midfielders - Darragh Burns (St Patrick’s Athletic), Christopher Conn (Burnley), Liam Hassin (Larne), Ben Wylie (Celtic), Carl Johnston (Fleetwood Town), Ryan Carmichael (Portadown), Trai Hume (Linfield).
Forwards – Liam Smyth (Stevenage), Callum Ferris (Portadown), Barry Baggley (Fleetwood Town), Chris McKee (Rangers).
Image: Centenary Shield winning captain Patrick Burns is in the Northern Ireland U19 squad.
