Ireland face Colombia

The Republic of Ireland under-21s have drawn defending champions Colombia, Ghana and Portugal at this year's Toulon "Tournament of Hopefuls". They return to the southern French city at the end of May after an 11-year absence.

In four previous visits to the competition, the best the Irish have managed is fifth place, but with a panel based largely on the squad that won the European Youths' Championships in Cyprus two years ago, team boss Don Givens will be hopeful of improving on that record.

That UEFA title will have gone a long way towards earning the FAI its invitation to the eight-team event which always attracts a strong entry from around the world. This year the line-up for the group stages, which start on June 25th, is completed by Japan, Mexico, the Ivory Coast and Italy. Two countries from each group progress to the semi-finals with the final scheduled to take place on July 3rd.

"It's always a strong tournament," said Givens yesterday "and I wouldn't expect this year to be any different. We've got a lot of ability amongst the boys that we have, though, and it's a great opportunity for me to have a look at them as well as sizing up the Portuguese before we play them in the autumn."

Over the years the event, which will be covered live on Eurosport, has helped a huge number of rising stars to make their mark. Twenty eight players who competed in Toulon have gone on to win World Cup winners' medals (13 with France in 1998) and many more, like Alan Shearer, Hristo Stoichkov and Rui Costa, established themselves as major prospects for the future.

Ireland will play Colombia on May 25th, Ghana on the 27th and Portugal on the 29th.

Meanwhile, a win this morning for Brian Kerr's under-16s, who currently share the lead with today's opponents, Yugoslavia, would ensure that they come home from the international tournament in Belgium as winners. A draw will see the competition being decided on goal difference.

West Ham goalkeeper Billy McMahon hopes to be fit to play after limping out of Wednesday's defeat of Sweden while Leonard Walker, Keith Graydon and Stephen Capper should all be available for selection again.