Under-17s seek European progress

Kenny Shiels is manager of the Northern Ireland Under-17s

Northern Ireland launch their attempt to reach the second qualifying stage of the European Under-17 Championship on Tuesday against Malta.

Kenny Shiels' boys are taking part in a mini tournament which also involves hosts Lithuania, Serbia and Montenegro and Malta.

The province are aiming to reach the second stage for a fourth successive.

They play Lithuania on Thursday and then face Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday in the final game.

The top two in the group will proceed to the second phase early in 2006.

"Our preparation has gone well with two games at home against Turkey and a four-day training camp at Bisham Abbey." said coach Jim Grattan.

"Playing against Birmingham and Chelsea under 18s has stood us in good stead, but now we must put our preparation into practice.."

The squad includes four players from Fermanagh club Ballinamallard United - goalkeeper Chris Snow, midfielders Richard Flaherty and Ryan Smith and striker Andrew Little.

NI Under-17s - goalkeepers: C Snow (Ballinamallard United), L Nash (Trojans); defenders: C Cathcart (Manchester United), C Simpson (Ballymena United), R Blaney (Wigan Athletic), D Lafferty (Oxford United Stars), A Robinson (Shankill Juniors).

Midfielders: G McGaw (Stoke City), J McGovern (West Bromwich Albion), R Harkin (Don Boscos), D McClements (unattached), F Burke (Linfield), D Cushley (Shankill Juniors), R Flaherty, R Smith (both Ballinmallard).

Forwards: A Little (Ballinamallard), G McDonald (West Bromwich Albion), A McGurk (Aston Villa).