THE Republic of Ireland under 20s meet Spain in the quarter finals of the World Youth Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tomorrow afternoon having far exceeded everyone's expectations.
Deprived of eligible senior capped players David Connolly and Ian Harte and emerging talents like Kevin Kilbaine and Richard Dunne, Brian Kerr's squad have nonetheless excelled themselves and grasped the imagination of the nation.
From tournament outsiders, with the lowest ranking of any European qualifier, Kerr's infectious managerial skill has shone through to his young players who have responded with performances of resilience, commitment and full of skill.
So, who are these 18 young boys in green who are just 90 minutes or a few more, away from a glamorous semifinal meeting with either Brazil or Argentina?
Here is a brief introduction.
DEREK O'CONNOR
(Huddersfield Town)
The squad's first choice goalkeeper. Dublin born, he played with Crumlin United before signing for Huddersfield over two years ago. Sent off for a second bookable, time wasting offence in Ireland's third game against China which meant he missed the Morocco match. Should return between the posts tomorrow.
PAUL WHELAN
(Oxford United)
Reserve goalkeeper who has just been released by Oxford. Played superbly against Morocco, making a tremendous save to prevent them winning in sudden death extra time a minute before Ireland scored the "golden goal". Like O'Connor, was Crumlin based as a schoolboy, though with Lourdes Celtic.
DAVID WOBRALL
(Blackburn Rovers)
From north Co Dublin, Worrall played with Rush Athletic before joining the Home Farm academy. Can plays as full back, sweeper or as a central defender. In his third season at Blackburn, has been an ever present in the heart of defence alongside Hawkins. Scored an own goal in the Morocco game.
COLIN HAWKINS
(Coventry City)
A Galway lad, Hawkins played with the local Newcastle United club and Salthill Devons before joining Coventry two years ago.
Has formed a solid central defensive partnership with Worrall. Has just been released by Coventry, however.
ROBBIE RYAN
(Huddersfield Town)
One of two Huddersfield recruits from Belvedere in the squad. Has done extremely well in the leftback position and, like Worrall and Hawkins, has played every minute of the championship so far.
MICHAEL CUMMINS
(Middlesbrough)
A midfielder who has been switched with great effect to right back from where he's got forward to score goals against the US and China. From Tallaght, he joined Middlesbrough from Crumlin United.
THOMAS MORGAN
(Blackburn Rovers)
The squad skipper who's just been told that he's been let go by Blackburn whom he's been with for nearly two years. A skilful player who's not afraid to work. Went to England from Belvedere. Missed the Morocco game through suspension but should be hack in the centre of midfield tomorrow.
NIALL INMAN
(Peterborough United)
One of two English born players in the squad who qualify under the parentage rule. Illness has hampered him in Malaysia, but he did well against Morocco in the absence of Morgan and is well in contention to retain his place.
JOHN BURNS
(Nottingham Forest)
The tournament ended for Burns when he hobbled oft with a foot injury late in the win over the US. Would have been the first choice alongside Morgan in the centre of midfield. Another former Belvedere boy.
DAVID WHITTLE
(Queen's Park Rangers)
Played at rightback in the opening match against Ghana but hasn't featured since with manager Brian Kerr opting to play Michael Cummins there despite it not being his natural position. Joined QPR from Waterford boys.
ALAN KIRBY
(Aston Villa)
Like Whittle, a Waterford lad, though he played his schoolboy football with Johnville. Started against the US and Morocco and it's a tossup between him and Inman as to who plays in midfield with Morgan tomorrow.
DAMIEN DUFF
(Blackburn Rovers)
The star of the tournament for Ireland with his so cleverly taken golden goal against Morocco despite having had a temperature of 103 just hours before the game. A natural left winger of precocious talent, he played initially for Leicester Celtic and then Lourdes Celtic before Pat Devlin sent him to Blackburn from St Kevin's Boys some two years ago.
Made his Premiership debut with a man of the match performance against Leicester City towards the end of the season. Just 18, he's eligible to play youths football for another year and should, like Whittle, travel to Iceland with the under 18s for next month's UEFA under 18 finals.
NEALE FENN
(Tottenham Hotspur)
Like Duff, Fenn made his Premiership debut last season. A tall, composed striker, he's one of two non Irish born players in the squad. Scored the well taken first goal against Morocco. The team's main striker.
TREVOR MOLLOY
(Athlone Town)
From Sheriff Street in the north inner city of Dublin, Molloy has been the surprise packet in the Irish squad with goals in the first two games after he'd whetted his appetite with a hat trick in a warm up friendly. Played with Stella Maris before joining Shamrock Rovers where he seemed never to be given a chance in the first team. Snapped up by Terry Eviston at Athlone last season and is set to join St Patrick's Athletic on his return, if no English club comes in for him. Goalscoring striker with bags of skill.
DESSIE BAKER
(Shelbourne)
Surprisingly kept out of the side by Molloy, Baker has yet to complete a full game. A Stella Maris prodigy who just failed to make the breakthrough at Manchester United before returning to Dublin with Shelbourne last season. A striker who's lack of physical presence means he's used mainly on the right side of the attack.
GLEN CROWE
(Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Another Stella Maris product who has yet to start a game in the tournament due to Molloy's surprise showings.
STEPHEN MURPHY
(Huddersfield Town)
The third Huddersfield player in the squad and like Ryan, another who came through from the Belvedere club. Normally a left back or even a central defender, Kerr has used him to good effect in midfield in the last two games.
AIDAN LYNCH
(UCD)
Unfortunately the only player in the squad not to feature yet. Lynch broke into the UCD first team last season forming a solid central defensive partnership with Tony McDonnell. A versatile player who can play in midfield, he joined UCD from St Kevin's Boys and was, along with Baker, a Republic of Ireland under 21 panellist last season.
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