Manager Gerry Smith has announced the Republic of Ireland amateur squad for the forthcoming UEFA Regions Cup Finals which will be held in the Polish city of Krakow from the 2nd to the 9th July 2005.

The UEFA Regions Cup, which is held every two years, is UEFA’s competition for regional amateur representative teams. The competition, which is open to all 52 UEFA member associations starts in an even year with the final tournament in the following odd year.

The draw for the final groupings will take place on Wednesday the 25th May 2005 in Krakow and the eight participants come from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine and of course the Republic of Ireland.

This is the fourth occasion that the competition has taken place and the inaugural 1999 champions were the hosts from Italy who defeated Spain in the final. The second tournament finals were held in the Czech Republic in 2001 and Moravia defeated Portugal in the final after a penalty shoot-out. In the 2003 competition the winners were again Italy who overcame France in the final which was held in Germany.

Ireland qualified for these finals when they travelled to Bosnia Herzegovina last November and topped qualifying group three. A comfortable 4-0 opening victory against San Marino provided the perfect platform for success in the group. The scorers were: 17m Ian Callaghan, 45m James Walsh, 46m Anthony Doyle and 55m John O’Neill.

Ireland faced group favourites England in their second encounter and dominated the first half with Ian Callaghan on 18 minutes and centre back James Walsh on the stroke of half time giving them a 2 goal interval lead. England responded after the break and within 15 minutes were back on level terms. Ireland did not panic and once again James Walsh rose to the occasion and regained the lead in the 72nd minute. The game was finally made safe in added time when Ruari Beechinor converted Ireland’s fourth goal.

Needing only a draw to qualify for the finals Ireland faced hosts Bosnia Herzegovina in their final fixture. The exertions of the England match took some considerable toll of the players and Ireland struggled throughout the game. Ireland received a fillip when they took the lead just on half-time with a goal from John O’Neill.

In the second half the hosts scored twice to take the lead which would have been sufficient to see them through to the finals, but in a final effort three minutes into added time, Anthony Doyle was brought down for an undisputed penalty and Keith Bruen kept his composure and scored to see Ireland top the group.

Squad for Finals:
David Conroy (Ballymun United), Brendan O’Connell (UCC), Stephen Barry (Cherry Orchard), Dougie Dolan (Portmarnock), Brian Buckley (Fairview Rangers), James Walsh (St Michaels), Ken Howie (Rockmount), Keith Bruen (Belgrove), Ian Cherry (Belgrove), Anthony Doyle (Belgrove),Barry Flynn (Portmarnock), Ray Whelehan (Tolka Rovers), Sean O’Connor (Crumlin United), John O’Neill (Wayside Celtic), Ian Callaghan (Wayside Celtic), Declan O’Connell (Douglas Hall), Ruari Beechinor (Rockmount), Wayne Griffin (Malahide United).