Finn Harps’ McCarron called into Irish Under-19 squad for La Manga trip

FINN Harps goalkeeper Lee McCarron has been named in a Republic of Ireland Under-19 squad for an invitational tournament in La Manga next week.

Promising goalkeeper McCarron, who signed for Harps from Cockhill Celtic, has been selected for duty by Irish Under-19 manager Tom Mohan – a Finn Harps legend from his own playing days in the blue and white.

The Irish will face Norway, Portugal and Slovakia in three games which will provide useful preparation for the UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round in March.

 Mohan’s side travel to Belgium for the Elite Phase next month to meet the hosts, Italy and Sweden with only one spot available for the finals in Georgia this summer.

 “This is another good opportunity for us to get the players together and help our preparations for the UEFA Elite Phase in March,” said Mohan.

 “A couple of players were unavailable due to club commitments but we’ve brought in some players who’ve done well recently and it’s a chance to stake their claim for involvement in the Elite Phase.

 “We held a home-based assessment game against the ETB squad prior to Christmas and some of those players have earned their place in this squad. We have watched them in pre-season games and it will be good to bring them in with the other players.

 “The games we’ll play will all be good tests and the tournament format will also be very beneficial ahead of what’s a testing Elite Phase. This is a good group of players and we’re looking forward to working with them in Spain.”