Rovers and Pat’s U17 players help country secure a World Cup place

IRELAND Men’s Under 17s football side have qualified for the 2026 FIFA Under 17s World Cup in Qatar after a stunning 7-0 victory over Slovakia.

There was plenty of local talent in the squad. Shamrock Rovers had plenty of representation with Maxim Afonin, Moyle Park students Danny Burke and Tadgh Prizeman, Victor Ozhianvuna and Josh O’Dwyer all involved.

Another member of the squad was Clondalkin native Desmond Armstrong, brother of Senior Ireland international Sinclair Armstrong, Desmond left Rovers only recently to join FC Lorient in France.

Pat’s also supplied plenty of talent for the team with Ryan Sheridan, Darragh Brunton, Jason Spelman, Kian Quigley and Joe Byrne all being called up into the squad.

Ireland blitzed through the Slovaks in the first half of the game and found themselves up 4-0 at half time thanks to a hattrick of goals from Cork City’s Cillian Murphy as well as St Pat’s Ryan Sheridan.

Bohemian’s Josh Harpur, Shelbourne’s Joey Wuna and Desmond Armstrong were all on target in the second half to bring the tally to an impressive 7-0.

The win means that Ireland return to the World Cup finals after also qualifying for last year’s edition.

A decision in 2024 was made by FIFA to ensure that the U17 World Cup is now held annually with Qatar set to host the first five editions from 2025 onwards.

Ireland knocked out Canada in a penalty shootout before ultimately losing out to Switzerland in the Round of 16 in last year’s tournament.