A Northern Ireland Under-15 development team will be playing two friendlies against France U15s next week.
Both games are scheduled to be played at Clairefontaine, the French Football Federation’s national training centre.
The 20-strong panel chosen by coaches Kris Lindsay and Michael McClean mainly features players from the Irish FA JD Academy.
The first of the two friendlies is due to be staged next Wednesday (17 April) at 3pm CET (2pm BST), with game two next Friday. The second game will have an 11am CET start at the centre 50km southwest of Paris.
Head coach Kris Lindsay said: “We know our players will face two very tough games in France, however we want to expose them to the best teams in Europe.
“We feel that allowing our players to see the levels of technical ability and physicality required at the highest level will aid their development.
“Both the players and staff are really looking forward to visiting Clairefontaine, the home of French football. We know the players face a touch challenge, however it’s one they are relishing.”
The U15 development squad features:
Goalkeepers – Matthew Hayman (Linfield), Cole Smyth (Derry City).
Defenders – Rhys Davidson, Jake Hirthe, Calum Anderson and Sonny Trainor (all Linfield), Michael Kydd (York City), Paul Stanfield (Cliftonville), Charlie Campbell (Glentoran).
Midfielders – Caleb Sweeney and Ross Campbell (both Greenisland), Freddie Murdock (Everton), Emmett Morrison (Derry City), Harry Gough (Glenavon), Finlay Ross (Linfield).
Forwards – Coran Madden and Eamonn Tohill (both Cliftonville), Joel Kerr (Glentoran - pictured), Fintan McArdle (Rosario), Luke Hawe (Ballymena United).
