Player Guide: Emmet Malone assesses the Irish squad

1. ALEX O'REILLY (GK) West Ham.

Born: 5/9/79 in London.

Schoolboy clubs: West Ham.

Youth caps: 8.

Played a key part in getting this team to Cyprus last summer with three clean sheets in three starts and then, after a disappointing performance against Croatia did exceptionally well in all of the remaining games. Is already the regular Irish under-21 keeper and another good tournament here might be enough to persuade West Ham that he has what it takes.

2. THOMAS HEARY (Def/Mid) Huddersfield.

Born: 14/2/79 in Dublin.

Schoolboy clubs: St Martin's Boys, Sheriff YC.

Youth caps: 21.

Another player for whom championships like these represent a welcome opportunity to step out of the reserve team football shadows. Commanding player with pace and good tackling ability. Started life as a striker, prefers to play in midfield but continues to shine at the back.

3. KEITH DOYLE (Def) St Patrick's Athletic. Born: 20/7/79 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Swords Celtic, Belvedere Boys. Youth caps: 13.

One of the only Irish-based players Doyle has nevertheless looked entirely at home with the rest of the squad. Did well in Cyprus where he played all 120 minutes of the final against the Germans. A good runner and crosser of the ball, Doyle is expected to play a prominent part in these championships although a series of minor infections in recent times seem to have initially tested his ability to cope with the conditions. Still a likely starter, if not on Sunday then certainly in the other group games.

4. JASON GAVIN (Def) Middlesbrough. Born: 14/3/80 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Jobstown Celtic, Crumlin Utd. Youth caps: 11.

The man who displaced Doherty in Cyprus, Gavin is fast, a good reader of the game and a good timer of a tackle. Has a neat touch on the ball too and seems certain to figure prominently here.

5. GARY DOHERTY (Def/For) Luton Town.

Born: 31/1/80 in Donegal. Schoolboy clubs: Luton Town. Youth caps: 19.

A versatile player who can play either at the back or up front and is much loved for his flexibility by Ireland boss Brian Kerr. Doherty actually lost his place in the team over the course of the European finals last year, and didn't even get a run out in the match against Germany, but has done well since with five goals in five starts and 14 other appearances at Luton (where he plays as a striker) and some solid displays for the under-18s.

6. BARRY QUINN (Mid) Coventry City.

Born 9/5/79 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Manortown Utd. Youth caps: 24.

The outstanding Irish player in Cyprus, Quinn has added a good bit of club first-team experience to the record number of Youth team caps he holds. A powerful figure who pushes the ball around. Quinn is never afraid to get stuck in either by dropping back to help out in defence or reinforcing his strikers. One of the most promising midfield passers of the ball, the Dubliner is widely expected to be one of the next big things in the Premiership.

7. STEPHEN McPHAIL (Mid) Leeds United. Born: 9/12/79 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Rush, Home Farm. Youth caps: 17.

Described by his former manager at Leeds as the new Liam Brady, McPhail has a reputation for being just a little too laid back for his own good. Even yesterday after training when Kerr was pointing out what an energetic line up he had in midfield, he made a point of identifying the Leeds player as an exception. At his best, though, he is such a good passer of the ball that he is likely to partner Quinn.

8. GER CROSSLEY (Mid) Celtic. Born: 5/2/80 in Belfast. Schoolboy clubs: Celtic Boys (Belfast). Youth caps: 13.

An exceptionally talented youngster, Crossley is in the process of sorting out a contract that should keep him at Parkhead for many years to come. Works hard and has an eye for an opportunity. A central figure at the Europeans, he will be one of the players Kerr will be depending on at Nigeria '99.

9. LIAM GEORGE (For) Luton Town. Born: 2/2/79 in South of England. Schoolboy clubs: Luton Town. Youth caps: 13.

Quick and tricky striker who looked an ideal partner up front for Robbie Keane last summer but whose place may come under pressure now that Richard Sadlier is about. Has missed much of the season due to a broken leg. Is likely to figure here, though, even if it is not for all of the games.

10. ROBBIE KEANE (For) Wolves. Born: 8/7/80 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Fettercairn Utd, Crumlin Utd. Youth caps: 12.

The young Dubliner's reputation continues to grow and grow with 16 goals for Wolves this season making him a hero there and a constant subject of speculation about a big-money move to the Premiership. Tends to look rather good at this level too with three goals scored in last summer's European finals. A certain starter up front. Keane has pace and vision but more importantly he has that instinct for the game that marks him out as being a little bit special.

11. DAMIEN DUFF (Mid/For) Blackburn Rovers. Born: 2/3/79 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin's Boys. Youth caps: 12.

Already a well-established full international, Duff burst onto the scene at the last Youth World Cup in Malaysia where he was one of the stars of the tournament. His inclusion in the squad for this trip was controversial, but the player has made it clear this week that he feels going was the right decision. A consistent performer at every level he has played at, Kerr will be banking on Duff doing well again here.

12. RICHIE BAKER (Mid/For) Shelbourne. Born: 17/4/80 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Stella Maris and St Mark's Celtic. Youth caps: 5.

The little Shelbourne winger's performance for the under-18s in Belfast a couple of weeks ago more or less booked his place on the plane. He has speed, great ball control, a terrific cross and an eye for goal. Kerr likes wingers and Baker could be a regular starter in this tournament.

13. COLIN HEALY (Def/Mid) Celtic. Born: 14/3/80 in Cork. Schoolboy clubs: Ballincollig and Wilton Utd.

Like Baker, Healy's youth caps were earned with the team behind this one and, like the Dubliner, if he plays on Sunday it will be his first appearance at under-20 level. Like Baker again, though, his performances this season have simply been so strong that elevating him was a very easy thing for the Irish management to do. Also has the advantage of being comfortable either at full back or just about anywhere in midfield.

14. RICHARD SADLIER (For) Millwall. Born: 14/1/79 in Dublin.

Schoolboy clubs: Broadford Rovers and Belvedere Boys. Youth caps: 7.

A big striker who has suffered badly with injuries over the past couple of seasons but who has now recovered his best form. At club level the goals are going in regularly for the Millwall man and a good tournament would firmly re-establish him as one of our brightest prospects.

15. RYAN CASEY (Def/Mid/For) Swansea City. Born: 3/1/79 in Galway.

Schoolboy clubs: Newcastle Utd (Galway), Galway Hibernians, Belvedere Boys. Youth caps: 6.

Highly versatile left-sided player who can play anywhere from full back to striker and who tends to come into the action when Kerr feels others are tiring.

16. DEAN DELANEY (GK) Everton. Born: 1/9/80 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Crumlin Utd, Cherry Orchard. Youth caps: 7.

Played with Cherry Orchard here before moving to Everton where he was an FA Youths' Cup medal winner last season. Still eligible for the under18s with whom he played in Belfast a couple of weeks ago. Generally seen as number two choice.

17. PAUL DONNOLLY (Def/Mid) Leeds United. Born: 31/8/79 in Dublin. Schoolboy clubs: Tolka Rovers, Home Farm.

Youth caps: 4.

Another one who can fulfil a number of roles, most notably in the middle of the defence or centre of midfield. Will be looking to do well here, having been told already by Leeds that he will be released at the end of the season.

18. BARRY FERGUSON (Def) Coventry City.

Born: 7/9/79 in Dublin.

Schoolboy clubs: Home Farm.

Youth caps: 3.

Another highly-rated player who has yet to make a particularly big name for himself. A commanding figure in his own area, Ferguson is also an agile marker and a good passer of the ball.