Italian-based Limerick teenager in Rep of Ireland U19 squad for European qualifiers

A TALENTED Limerick teenager has been included in the Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-19 squad for three UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifiers in Wexford next week.

John Ryan, currently playing his football with Serie A Sassuolo in Italy, has been named in Head Coach Tom Mohan's 20-man squad for the big qualifiers.

Ryan has swapped life with UCD in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for a move to the top flight Italian club at the end of last summer.

The versatile teenager has been lining out with Sassuolo's B team in the Primavera Championship.

The versatile Ryan had been playing with UCD in the League of Ireland's top flight last season, after joining the Belfield side from Shamrock Rovers.

The former St Kevin’s Boys and Shamrock Rovers player is a past pupil of Milford NS, Castletroy Gaelscoil and Castletroy College. He also previously played GAA with Ballybricken and Monaleen clubs. Ryan completed his Leaving Cert in June at Ashfield College in Dublin.

Ryan tasted tasted double national underage league success at U17 and U19 level with Shamrock Rovers last season. 

The talented Limerick teenager has represented the Rep of Ireland at under-age level up through the age grades. 

The Rep of Ireland U19s face Slovakia on Wednesday next, March 22, Estonia, on Saturday, March 25 and Greece on Tuesday, March 28 at Ferrycarrig Park as they look to qualify for the U19 EUROs in Malta this summer.
 
Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-19s Head Coach Tom Mohan said: “It is the first time since 2019 that an Irish Men’s U19 team has had the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd. I’m looking forward to bringing this exciting team to Wexford to play Slovakia, Estonia and Greece.
 
“They are three challenging teams and it’s for us to find a way to overcome them. My staff, the players and I will embrace this challenge and can’t wait to get into camp.”
 
Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-19s Squad:
 
Goalkeepers: Reece Byrne (Bohemians), Owen Mason (Kettering Town, on loan from Mansfield Town)
 
Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), James Golding (Oxford United), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United),  Harry Nevin (Preston North End), John Ryan (Sassulo)
 
Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Oisin Gallagher (Barwell, on loan from Lincoln City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), James McManus (Bohemians), Harry Vaughan (Hull City), Rocco Vata (Celtic)
 
Forwards: Tommy Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Moore (Cliftonville), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)
 
UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers
 
Wednesday, March 22 | Ireland MU19 v Slovakia MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford KO 3.30pm (Live on LOITV)
 
Saturday, March 25 | Ireland MU19 v Estonia MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 3.30pm (Live on LOITV)
 
Tuesday, March 28 | Ireland MU19 v Greece MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 7.30pm (Live on LOITV)