A League of Ireland selection finished third in a FIFPro tournament in Oslo today as 18 players sought to earn a contract with professional clubs in Europe.
Ireland finished third of four teams in the competition after defeating Sweden in the third/fourth place play off, having lost to Finland in the semi-final.
The team, managed by Liam Kelly, was selected after a number of players made applications to the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) to take part in the tournament.
Ireland were defeated 2-1 by Finland in the semi-final, with Sean Kelly scoring from the spot after a foul on ex-Waterford United man Daryl Kavanagh.
The Irish selection went on to beat Sweden in the third/fourth place play off with Mark Leech (above), formerly of Shelbourne, scoring the game’s only goal.
Scouts from a number of European clubs were in attendance at the tournament and the Irish players that took part will be hoping to earn a contract abroad, with a number of domestic clubs in serious financial trouble at present.
Irish squad for the FIFPro tournament. (Former club in brackets)
Goalkeepers:
Billy Brennan (UCD)
Aaron Shanahan (Longford Town)
Defenders:
Liam Burns (Dundalk)
Sean Kelly (Limerick FC)
Brian Gartland (Monaghan Utd)
Mark Rossiter (Bohemian FC)
Brian Shelley (Bohemian FC, still contracted)
Aidan Price (Shamrock Rovers)
Shaun Kelly (Dundalk)
Midfielders:
Dean Marshall (Athlone Town)
Darren Meenan (Drogheda Utd)
Bobby Ryan (Limerick FC)
Stuart Byrne (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Forwards:
Mark Leech (Shelbourne)
Eamon Zayed (Sporting Fingal)
Daryl Kavanagh (Waterford Utd)
Glen Fitzpatrick (Drogheda Utd)
Karl Moore (UCD)
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