Republic of Ireland Under-16 manager Vincent Butler has named his 18-player squad for next week’s Gradisca tournament in Italy, where the Irish will face Mexico, Serbia and Croatia in the group stage.

The eight-team event will bring to an end the series of fixtures for this group of players before they are passed onto Sean McCaffrey to prepare for next season’s Under-17 UEFA Championship qualifying campaign.

Ireland open the tournament against Mexico in Kötschach-Mauthen on Saturday, April 25 (17.00 hrs) before facing v Serbia 24 hours later in Hermagor (17.00 hrs). Their final match of the group pits them against Croatia on Monday, April 27 in Arnoldstein (15.30 hrs).

The teams who finish in the top two of the groups are guaranteed to play two additional games in the semi-finals, play-off or final.

Manager Vincent Butler has overseen his side in ten Internationals so far this term and predicts his side to be tested to their fullest again at the Gradisca tournament.

“We have already played against some of the best nations in Europe this season, such as Spain, France and Portugal, but these matches will be equally tough,” said Butler.

“I believe that playing against top-quality teams will benefit the lads greatly when it comes to kicking-off their UEFA qualifiers in September.

“We had two good victories over Wales and Turkey before Christmas but results dipped a bit since the turn of the year, which I think was partly down to the lack of club football for the home-based players during the bad winter we had. Hopefully, we can finish the season strongly.”

The tournament will be Butler’s last official assignment as Ireland Under-16 manager before he hands over the reins to John Morling, who has already started work managing this season’s Under-15 group.

Having managed the Under-16 side for four years in the 1970s and 1980s, Butler returned in 1996 and has been in charge of the Under-15s and Under-16s for the last 12 years during which he has seen 19 players go on to become full internationals while 79 have been capped at Under-21 level.

“A year ago, I announced my intention to retire at the end of this season and I have been helping John (Morling) settle into his new role with the Under-15s,” said Butler.

“John will continue with his current Under-15 squad into next season and I’ll be available if he needs any additional support.”

REPUBLIC OF SQUAD UNDER-16 SQUAD:
Sean McDermott - Vaag
Niall Burdon - St. Rennais
Michael Barker - Belvedere
Richard Bryan - Aston Villa
Robert Maloney - St. Joseph’s Boys
Conor Morrissey - Waterford Bohemians
Derrick Williams - Aston Villa
Neil Yandolahi - St. Kevin’s Boys
John O’Sullivan - Belvedere FC
Shane Byrne - Leicester City
Brian McGroary - Eany Celtic
Carl McHugh - Dungloe Town
Adam Pigott - Kingdom Boys
Calum Webb - Arsenal
Daniel McGuinness - Crumlin United
Daniel Mahon - Belvedere
Christopher Lyons - Belvedere
Luke Williams - Middlesbrough.

Under-16 Gradisca Tournament Fixtures:
Saturday, April 25
Republic of Ireland v Mexico
Kötschach-Mauthen
Kick-off: 17.00 hrs

Sunday, April 26
Republic of Ireland v Serbia
Hermagor
Kick-off:17.00 hrs

Monday, April 27
Republic of Ireland v Croatia
Arnoldstein
Kick-off: 15.30 hrs.