Gareth McAuley is feeling “very, very positive” ahead of Northern Ireland’s first game at the U19 Euros.
The Irish Football Association is hosting the 2024 UEFA Under-19 Men’s European Championship from today until 28 July along with European football’s governing body.
And Northern Ireland are set to kick off their U19 Euros campaign later today when they take on Ukraine at Larne’s Inver Park (7pm).
Following a training session at the Blanchflower Stadium in Belfast yesterday, Northern Ireland U19s boss McAuley said: “The boys look ready, which is really pleasing.
“The intensity and the way they applied themselves, and the understanding of what we have been asking of them, was excellent.”
Providing a squad update, he revealed Celtic midfielder Francis Turley has stayed with his club as he has been included in Brendan Rodgers’ first team group for a pre-season trip to the USA.
Turley has been replaced in the Northern Ireland panel by Luton Town midfielder Dylan Stitt.
“It’s great for Fra to be part of the Celtic first team, however it’s disappointing for us as he was coming to the fore to be a key player for us. But it’s all about the development of the players and we wish Fra all the best, and we’ll see him further down the line,” said McAuley.
The U19s boss explained Dylan Stitt’s inclusion will be pretty seamless as he previously played for Northern Ireland Under-17s and knows the similar systems being adopted by both McAuley and U17s boss Andy Waterworth.
He said Stitt was a “great athlete with a great attitude” and it was great to have him in the 20-strong Northern Ireland squad.
McAuley further revealed he is looking forward to leading out the team in his home town of Larne.
Around 1500 tickets have been sold for the game – and that number is expected to rise as tickets will be available right up to kick-off.
“It’s great that Larne is able to host games at the tournament. There will be lots of familiar faces there and it will be special,” added the U19s manager.
Joining Northern Ireland in the tournament are seven teams from right across the continent of Europe, including holders Italy, who will face Norway in the first match of U19 Euro 2024 at Seaview this afternoon. Ukraine, Denmark, Spain, France and Turkiye are the other participants.
Northern Ireland have qualified as hosts, while the other sides involved have navigated two qualification rounds to reach the finals.
Group A features the hosts, holders Italy, Ukraine and Norway, while Group B includes Spain, France, Denmark and Turkiye.
Northern Ireland’s second game in Group A is against Italy at Inver Park on Thursday (18 July), again at 7pm, while they will round off their group games against Norway at Seaview on Sunday 21 July (7pm).
The aim for McAuley and his players is to reach the latter stages of the tournament. The semi-finals are due to be played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Thursday 25 July (2pm and 7pm) and the final is scheduled for the National Stadium on Sunday 28 July (7pm).
The revised Northern Ireland U19 squad for the tournament is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Mason Munn (Rangers).
Defenders – Tom Atcheson and Aodhan Doherty (both Blackburn Rovers), Daithi McCallion and Conor Barr (both Derry City), Josh Briggs (West Ham United), Gallagher Lennon (St Mirren), Brendan Hamilton (Aberdeen), George Goodman (Bradford City), Joel Thompson (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders – Kieran Morrison (Liverpool), Lewis Trickett (Accrington Stanley), Jack Doherty (Fleetwood Town), Dylan Stitt (Luton Town), Blaine McClure (Rangers), Corey Smith (Larne).
Forwards – Braiden Graham (Everton), Sam Glenfield (Fleetwood Town), Reece Evans (Reading).
To buy tickets to U19 Euros matches go to irishfa.com/u19euro.
