NORTHERN Ireland U17 international Craig Cathcart has been named in the 20-strong squad to represent Europe in the UEFA/CAF Meridian Cup.
The young player from Newtownabbey, currently at Manchester United, will be in Europe’s U18 side when they play Africa in a two-legged match. The two matches will be played on Tuesday 27 February and Thursday 1 March in Barcelona, Spain.
The Team will be headed by UEFA’s Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh along with the following European Coaching Staff who are experienced and well-known national youth team coaches from Spain – Head Coach Iñaki Sáez and two assistant Coaches Ginés Meléndez and Juan Santisteban.
U17 Manager Kenny Shiels had nothing but praise for the young defender: ‘I am delighted for Craig as he has shown tremendous progress in the two seasons he has played for our U17s. He captained the side in our qualification games and also in the Elite Stage in Holland 2006.
"I am confident that Craig can continue his development towards U21 and senior international status. To represent Europe is an enormous accolade both for Craig and Northern Ireland. This is a measure of the talent that is coming through our process and testament to the commitment and effort of his coaches at Greenisland Boys Club."
IFA President and UEFA Youth and Amateur Committee Chairman Jim Boyce is delighted for Craig: "We will have the best young players in Europe playing against the best young players in Africa in Barcelona’s Camp Nou - it will make for some very interesting football. I’m looking forward to the matches and watching Craig play-it is a great honour for him and Northern Ireland."
The U17 squad play two matches against Scotland on Monday 5 February and Wednesday 7 February. Monday’s match kicks-off at 7.30pm at Taylors Avenue, Carrick. Wednesday’s match kicks-off at 11.00am at Wellington Rec, Larne. The two games are preparation matches ahead of the Elite Stage of the U17 European Championships which will be hosted by Portugal on 19, 21 and 24 March.
Craig will celebrate his 18th birthday on the same day as the NI senior team and U21 squad face Wales in two International Challenge matches. The U21s play Wales youth side at The Oval on Tuesday 6 February, KO 3pm with Windsor Park playing host to the senior side at 7.45pm.
The young player from Newtownabbey, currently at Manchester United, will be in Europe’s U18 side when they play Africa in a two-legged match. The two matches will be played on Tuesday 27 February and Thursday 1 March in Barcelona, Spain.
The Team will be headed by UEFA’s Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh along with the following European Coaching Staff who are experienced and well-known national youth team coaches from Spain – Head Coach Iñaki Sáez and two assistant Coaches Ginés Meléndez and Juan Santisteban.
U17 Manager Kenny Shiels had nothing but praise for the young defender: ‘I am delighted for Craig as he has shown tremendous progress in the two seasons he has played for our U17s. He captained the side in our qualification games and also in the Elite Stage in Holland 2006.
"I am confident that Craig can continue his development towards U21 and senior international status. To represent Europe is an enormous accolade both for Craig and Northern Ireland. This is a measure of the talent that is coming through our process and testament to the commitment and effort of his coaches at Greenisland Boys Club."
IFA President and UEFA Youth and Amateur Committee Chairman Jim Boyce is delighted for Craig: "We will have the best young players in Europe playing against the best young players in Africa in Barcelona’s Camp Nou - it will make for some very interesting football. I’m looking forward to the matches and watching Craig play-it is a great honour for him and Northern Ireland."
The U17 squad play two matches against Scotland on Monday 5 February and Wednesday 7 February. Monday’s match kicks-off at 7.30pm at Taylors Avenue, Carrick. Wednesday’s match kicks-off at 11.00am at Wellington Rec, Larne. The two games are preparation matches ahead of the Elite Stage of the U17 European Championships which will be hosted by Portugal on 19, 21 and 24 March.
Craig will celebrate his 18th birthday on the same day as the NI senior team and U21 squad face Wales in two International Challenge matches. The U21s play Wales youth side at The Oval on Tuesday 6 February, KO 3pm with Windsor Park playing host to the senior side at 7.45pm.