Sean McCaffrey's under 19 team kick off their UEFA Elite Group 7 qualifying process against Poland in Novi Sad this afternoon. Hosts Serbia & Montenegro meet Albania earlier in the day with the Group winners only qualifying for the finals to be held in Northern Ireland during July 2005.

McCaffrey has indicated that he will start with a 4-3-3 systen because of Ireland's strength in central midfield. Ireland will be without Paul McShane and Joey O'Brien who are both suspended for the opening fixture as a result of bookings in the first phase qualifying stage. Jonathan Hayes of Reading will not be considered for a starting place as he arrived late having played in a vital club match.

The management have watched Poland on a number opf video recordings and they are described as a sound technical side with an unusually high focus on attack. This will require disciplined defending from Ireland with the possibility of the counter attack providing scoring opportunities.

There is a quiet confidence within the Irish camp as this is the strongest squad that McCaffrey has been able to assemble at this age group with only Leon Best, Billy Clarke, Anthony Stokes and Aiden McGeady unavailable.
It has previously not been unusual for any number from six to ten players to miss tournament matches.

Scunthorpe striker, Andy Keogh also exuded confidence and said he would be very disappointed if Ireland failed to qualify from the Group. In the absence of Best, Clarke and Stokes, Keogh acknowledged the extra responsibility placed on him but said that he welcomed the challenge.