Fenlon remains optimistic

CHALLENGE TROPHY REP OF IRELAND v BELGIUM: DEREK PENDER of Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers' Ross Gaynor have been drafted into Pat Fenlon's under-23 League of Ireland squad for this evening's International Challenge Trophy match against Belgium.

The pair replace Mark Quigley and Shane Guthrie, who withdrew from the 20-man panel due to injuries. Cork City's Darren Murphy, meanwhile, remains a doubt for the game.

The home side need a draw this evening, the third of Ireland's three group games, to qualify for the final, while England have a similar edge over Italy ahead of their meeting in the other group's deciding ties.

For captain Paul Keegan the match is an opportunity to focus on something other than Drogheda United's financial problems, while for Fenlon it is yet another challenge in a year when, head of Friday's FAI Cup semi-final against St Patrick's Athletic, guiding Bohemians to the double remains a distinct possibility.

"Hopefully things at Drogheda will be sorted out over the next month or so," says Keegan, "but coming here for this game has been a welcome break from everything that's going on at the club."

Fenlon sees the changes to the Belgian squad as an indication they are drafting their best players because they will qualify if they win. He, however, remains optimistic. "They've done well so far," he says. ". . . it would be wonderful if they can go on to the final, it's not often League of Ireland players get to look to lift an international trophy."

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times