Ireland Squad: Player-by-player guide

Dean Delaney

Position: goalkeeper.

Born: 15/9/80.

Club: Everton.

Was forced to sit out last year's championships when Alex O'Reilly made the goalkeeper's jersey his own but arrives in Sweden as the favourite to start games. A good shot stopper, Delaney is considered to be a good prospect but is prone to the odd blunder.

Joe Murphy

Position: goalkeeper.

Born: 21/8/81.

Club: Tranmere Rovers.

A most naturally gifted goalkeeper at underage level, Murphy, who was a European championship winner at under-16 level in Scotland last year, is commanding around the box, comfortable under pressure and has good reactions. Still young enough to play in next year's youth championships.

Clive Clarke

Position: defender.

Born: 14/1/80.

Club: Stoke City.

The former St Jospeph's, Sallynoggin defender can play either in the centre of defence or at left-back and that versatility should ensure that he sees some action over the coming week. Broke into the first team at Stoke towards the end of last season and has just re-signed for the club.

Clive Delaney

Position: defender.

Born: 2/1/80.

Club: UCD.

The towering centre half arrived at Belfield a couple of season's ago from Manor Town United, and having quickly established himself in UCD's National League side, probably has more first team senior football under at his belt now than anybody else in the panel. His height gives him a natural edge in the air. Tackles and distributes the ball well and isn't afraid to get forward.

John Frost

Position: defender.

Born: 20/5/80.

Club: Waterford Utd.

Talented left wing back who has just returned from a trial at Tranmere Rovers. Had a nightmare in the friendly against England last season when he found himself marking their best player and struggled to cope. A long term injury aside, however, the rest of the season went well for the 19 year-old who is a likely starter this week.

Jason Gavin

Position: defender.

Born: 14/3/80.

Club: Middlesbrough.

It's been a good year for this Dubliner. Last summer, in Cyprus, he emerged as a key figure in the gold medal winning team and more recently made his first team debut at the Riverside stadium. Was outstanding in Nigeria with the under-20 team and is sure to play a big part in Brian Kerr's plans here.

Peter Murphy

Position: defender.

Born: 27-10/80.

Club: Blackburn Rovers.

Started his career with St Joseph's in Sallynoggin, Murphy established himself as Gavin's regular central defensive partner in the lead-up to the tournament and, particularly with Kevin Doherty missing, he is likely to retain his place in the team. Can also play at full-back.

Conor O'Grady

Position: midfield.

Born: 27/5/80.

Club: Sligo Rovers.

There was a fair bit of sympathy for the central midfielder when he was omitted from the original squad for this trip but Shaun Byrne's withdrawal allowed him back in. Has done well on his outings to date although he regularly has to settle for a place on the bench. A first team regular at Rovers he came to prominence with Summerhill College's outstanding team and recently captained the Irish schoolboys.

Richie Partridge

Position: midfield.

Born: 12/9/80.

Club: Liverpool.

An exciting winger, Partridge's opportunity to progress at Anfield last season was curtailed by a serious injury which forced him to sit out most of the campaign. Now fit again, he brings pace, wonderful ball control and vision to the side.

Richie Baker

Position: midfield.

Born: 17/4/80.

Club: Shelbourne.

A more recent arrival on the scene than Partridge, Baker made an enormous impact over the past 12 months during which he has moved into senior club football and been involved with three different Irish underage teams. If he can reproduce the form he showed in Belfast he will cause any opponent problems.

Greg O'Halloran

Position: defender/midfield.

Born: 6/9/80.

Club: Cork City.

Had a spell at Hull City but since his return to Ireland and his link up with Dave Barry at Cork City that O'Halloran has really started to come on in leaps and bounds. A physically strong player who can play at right full or wide in midfield, the southerner likes to get forward and is also a tenacious defender.

Colin Healy

Position: midfield.

Born: 14/3/80.

Club: Celtic.

Another player to have cause for satisfaction with the last 12 months, Healy ended one season playing his football with Ballincollig, the next with Celtic's first team. At this level things have gone remarkably well and he was one of the stars of the qualification process, scoring in all three of the group matches. A Wonderful passer of the ball he can also play at full back.

Liam Miller

Position: midfield.

Born: 13/2/81.

Club: Celtic.

A former team mate of Healy's at Ballincollig, Miller also made the journey to Parkhead where he continues to make steady progress. A neat player, who works hard in the centre of midfield, the Corkman was a gold medal winner in Scotland.

Ger Crossley

Position: midfield.

Born: 15/2/80.

Club: Unattached.

One of the most consistent performers for Kerr over the past couple of years, Crossley was, surprisingly let go by Celtic at the end of last season and is currently on trial at Derby. Plays wide on the right or in central midfield.

Padraig Drew

Position: midfield.

Born: 7/6/80.

Club: Home Farm.

Formerly at Everton where things didn't work out. Drew has just had a nightmarish season back in Ireland where once again he has failed to make an impact. His potential was highlighted recently, though, when he had an outstanding tournament in the Netherlands and is currently a target for German club Bayern Leverkusen.

Gary Doherty

Position: defender/midfield.

Born: 31/1/80.

Club: Luton Town.

Having established himself initially as a defender who could get forward when required, Doherty now generally plays up front at both club and international levels. Has performed solidly there for Luton Town this season, and given his ability in the air and Kerr's liking for wide men, he is likely to be entrusted with an important role this week. These are his third Youth Championship finals.

Trevor Fitzpatrick

Position: forward.

Born: 19/2/80.

Club: Southend Utd.

A big powerful striker who scored five goals in 26 appearances for Southend last season, Fitzpatrick is a fairly recent arrival on the scene having made his debut in the spring in Belfast - where he scored. On that occasion he seemed to have an almost instant rapport with Doherty who he may well partner again in a couple of this week's matches.

Graham Barrett

Position: forward.

Born: 6/10/81.

Club: Arsenal.

A thoughtful striker who likes to drop off and pick up the ball in front of opposing defences. Can also play wide on the left in midfield. Skilful and fast, Barrett is highly rated by Liam Brady at Arsenal and only last week scored on his debut for Arsenal's first team in a preseason friendly.