Northern Ireland Under-19s and U17s boss Gerard Lyttle has revealed he is “extremely proud” of both of his squads as they prepare to compete in the elite qualifying rounds of their respective UEFA Euro 2023 competitions.
Northern Ireland Under-19s and U17s boss Gerard Lyttle has revealed he is “extremely proud” of both of his squads as they prepare to compete in the elite qualifying rounds of their respective UEFA Euro 2023 competitions.
The U19s are set to face France, Romania and Norway in Group 1 of the elite round, with the four-team mini tournament being staged in France. Their campaign begins against hosts France at Stade de la Source in Orleans next Wednesday (22 March).
And the U17s will be up against hosts Netherlands, England and Denmark in Group 3 in stage two of the 2022-23 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers. Game one for them is against the Dutch at Sportpark SJC in Noordwijk, and it’s also being staged on 22 March.
We don’t want this to be a one-off. We want it to be a regular occurrence for our teams to go into these competitions and qualify for the latter stages and to improve our co-efficient by climbing up the rankings
It’s the first time in Northern Ireland’s footballing history that two youth teams from the country have qualified for elite rounds at the same time.
Lyttle said a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get both squads to the elite rounds. And he also praised “unbelievable performances” by the players in the respective first stages of qualification.
He explained those involved in coaching and supporting the squads are “immensely proud” of the history-making players.
And he added: “We don’t want this to be a one-off. We want it to be a regular occurrence for our teams to go into these competitions and qualify for the latter stages and to improve our co-efficient by climbing up the rankings. We want to continue the good work that has been done in the background over the past four or five years.”
Lyttle will be managing the U19s in France while the U17s are competing in the Netherlands. Sean-Paul Murray and Kris Lindsay have been drafted in to coach the U17s instead.
He said Murray knows most of the U17 players having taken charge of the Northern Ireland Victory Shield squad a couple of years ago, while Lindsay is a coach at the Irish FA JD Academy and is also a familiar face to several members of the squad.
Lyttle, who said it was unfortunate that the U19 and U17 mini tournaments are being staged at the same time within the March international window, stressed it was important to have “continuity and familiarity” for the U17 group, adding that both coaches had “a good understanding” of the players involved.
In terms of the U17 squad, he applauded players who had forced their way into the squad with good performances at club level. And the U17s largely have a clean bill of health ahead of the qualifiers.
It’s a much different story for the U19s, however. They are without six players who would have been potential starters in France.
Lyttle said it was “really disappointing” to lose West Ham United defender and team captain Michael Forbes, who has been unable to shake off an injury.
His defensive partner Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion) suffered a concussion injury recently and is also unable to play, while Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Stephen McMullan has a hip injury.
Also on the treatment table, and unable to make the trip, are defender Matthew Carson (Southampton) and strikers Patrick Kelly (West Ham) and Reece Evans (Leicester City).
Lyttle admitted: “They are massive losses for us. Every one of them was a potential starter. It’s disappointing, however it presents the players coming in with an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best players in Europe at their age level. I would urge them to take the chance by the scruff of the neck.”
He also pointed out he has been working with most of the players in the U19 panel for the past four years and he believes they have a strong mindset and nothing will faze them when it comes to playing the likes of France.
Lyttle realises both squads are set to face formidable opposition on continental Europe, however he is confident both teams “will be competitive” in their groups.
