Source: FOOTYMAD
Kane Ferdinand set to play at Accrington Stanley after Irish Under-19 Croatian air trip
Southend United's young star Kane Ferdinand played the whole match for the Republic of Ireland Under-19's in Croatia Tuesday with another game Thursday, and will still be in Accrington on Saturday! Kane Ferdinand; A fully fledged Irishman due to his Dad With young Kane Ferdinand gaining rave reviews in his holding role in front of the back four and even as a back-up centre-half for the Shrimpers first team it's no surprise he's was rewarded with a follow-up to his Republic of Ireland under-18 debut last year.And not only did he get a full 90 minutes in Croatia Tuesday Ferdinand spoke to www.echo-news.co.uk last week: "It's brilliant and I'm really looking forward to joining up with the rest of the lads. I qualify to play through my dad, who is Irish and I've played at younger age groups and really enjoyed it so I'm sure I will again. I played last year for the under-18s and we had a couple games in Macedonia. The football is slower and the opponents aren't as physical or in your face but I'm really proud to have been picked." Irish Youth manager Paul Doolin named an under-19 squad to play a friendly double-header against Croatia, both in Umag on February 8th and 10th, and after playing today and possibily tomorrow the London-born midfielder will still make the long trip to Accrington on the Saturday, February 12th!Kane will fly into Manchester airport Friday where he will meet up with the rest of the Shrimpers first team squad staying in their hotel before the League Two clash against Accrington Stanley the following day, his tenth appearance for Southend this season, but his fourth in eight days and having travelled across Europe! To be young again!These games are ahead of the Elite Phase of UEFA Under-19 European Championship qualifying in May. Doolin told http://greenscene.me/2011/01/doolin-names-ireland-u19-squad-to-face-croatia/: "Croatia, like us, have qualified for the Elite phase, so will provide two good tests for our squad. I'm familiar with the group of players which played in the UEFA first phase qualifiers and these matches are about giving other lads their chance of impressing. The bad weather over the last few months meant lots of club fixtures were postponed but this is a great opportunity to see players within our own set-up. They are all doing well at their clubs and deserve their opportunity at this level.U19 Squad:Aaron McCarey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)Sean McDermott (Arsenal)Daniel Devine (Aston Villa)Derrick Williams (Aston Villa)Kane Ferdinand (Southend United)Sean McGinty (Manchester United)Michael Harriman (QPR)Mark O'Brien (Derby County)Sean Murray (Watford)Anthony Forde (Wolverhampton Wanderers)Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)Matty Harriott (Sheffield United)John O'Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers)Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa)Kevin Knight (Leicester City)Shane Byrne (Leicester City)Conor Murphy (Shamrock Rovers)
