Abdelaziz named in Kerr's squad

FC Haarlem goalkeeper Wesdie Abdelaziz has been named by Brian Kerr in his 18-man under-17 squad for this month's Meridian Cup in South Africa.

Abdelaziz, who is the Dutch club's third choice goalkeeper and qualifies to play for the Republic because his mother, Collette McDonald, is from Raheny, described his selection as "a great thrill". In Dublin over Christmas, The 17 year-old took part in a training session organised by Irish junior team manager Gerry Smith, who recommended him to Kerr.

"This has been a great season for me," said Abdelaziz yesterday. "I've sat on the bench three times with my club's first team and now I'm getting my chance with Ireland. The fact that they are European champions shows how high the standard is but I'm confident that if I get my chance to show what I can do, I'll take it."

Irish squad for the Meridian Cup - Ireland to play South Africa (Jan 28th), Spain (Jan 30th) and Egypt (Feb 1st): W Abdelaziz (FC Haarlem), J Murphy (Tranmere), J Thompson (Notts Forest), J Goodwin (Celtic), K Foy (Notts Forest), D Byrne (Stockport), B McCrystal (Leeds Utd), J O'Shea (Man Utd), G Barrett (Arsenal), L Miller (Celtic), G Dempsey (Everton), T Butler (Sunderland), S Byrne (West Ham), B McGill (Sunderland), A Reid (Sunderland), G Fitzpatrick (UCD), D McMahon (Newcastle Utd), D Warren (Mayfield Utd).