Under-16 Pen Pictures

Joseph Murphy (Tranmere Rovers). Goalkeeper. From Glasnevin, regarded as the best goalkeeper in the tournament and tipped to make it to a successful senior career. Excellent all-round goalkeeper. First player to join Tranmere under their nursery tie-up with Stella Maris.

David Madden (Tramore Athletic FC, Cork). Goalkeeper. The only player not to have featured at all yet. Cork born, he's had trials at Celtic, but awaits a concrete offer from a professional club.

John Thompson (Home Farm). Right-back. From Swords, played in the same Rivervalley Rangers team as Brendan McGill before signing for Home Farm three years ago. Has signed a three-year contract at Nottingham Forest whom he'll join after completing his leaving certificate next year.

Ian Rossiter (Galway United). Right-back. Has played in the Galway United first team this season, though he is from Sligo where he played with Summerhill College. Has never been away on trial and has had no offers. Played for 40 minutes against Finland before being substituted at half-time.

Keith Foy (Nottingham Forest). Leftback. From Kilnamanagh, Tallaght,where he played for the large local club. In the first year of a five-year professional contract at Nottingham Forest. Solid, quick and reliable, he's been ever-present at left-back.

John O'Shea (Waterford Bohemians). Central-defender. About to sign a three-year deal with Celtic, after nothing came of trials at Liverpool and Arsenal. Along with fellow centre-half, Jim Goodwin, has greatly matured as a player as the tournament's progressed. Excellent in the air and distributes the ball well.

Jim Goodwin (Celtic). Central-defender. One year left on a two-year contract at Parkhead, Goodwin's partnership with O'Shea, regarded as suspect prior to the tournament, has been the foundation for the team's success. Excellent all-round defender. From Tramore where he played with Tramore Athletic. Signed for Celtic despite interest from Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Blackburn.

Brian O'Callaghan (Pike Rovers). Central-defender. The Limerick youngster is keen to sign a two-year contract offered by Barnsley, despite the interest of Coventry and to a lesser extent Celtic, Aston Villa and West Ham. Has played for just a minute coming on late against Portugal.

Desmond Byrne (Cherry Orchard). Left-back. A late call up to the squad, he featured as a substitute three times before it was discovered a bruised toe was a broken bone in his foot and he's out of the tournament. From Gallenstown in Ballyfermot, he's played all his football at the famous Cherry Orchard club and is due to sign for ambitious English First Division club, Stockport County.

Shaun Byrne (West Ham United). Midfield. Inspirational skipper of the team who revels in the captaincy role. Unhappy at West Ham and has interested Dutch giants PSV and other English clubs. His performance against Portugal has been one of the highlights of the tournament. Plays a similar running game to Roy Keane and loves to get forward. The only English-born player in the squad, he qualified through his grandfather who came from Blessington.

Liam Miller (Celtic). Midfielder. From Ovens, outside Cork City, Miller is the anchor midfielder who likens himself to Celtic's Paul Lambert. A tough, solid player who can play as well as spoil. Due to be offered a new two-year contract at Celtic, though something more substantial may be needed to keep him there.

Kevin Gogan (Manchester United). Midfielder. From Sutton, the talented Grogan played with Seagrange before developing further at Belvedere. Has been going to Manchester United since he was 12 and has been offered a new three-year contract at Old Trafford. Has been hampered by growing pains in his knee this season and finds difficulty completing games. Says his best position is in attack.

Ian Douglas (Monaghan United). Midfielder. A late call up for Dwayne Mattis who couldn't travel due to injury. Has played several times for the Monaghan United first team in the First Division of the National League. Has had trials at Celtic but has received no serious offers of a contract.

Graham Barrett (Arsenal). Striker. Like Keith Foy, played all his schoolboy career with Kilnamanagh in Tallaght. Hugely talented technically, he was signed by Arsenal after Liam Brady, now the club's youth development officer, saw him play against England at under-15 level. He's on a one-year apprenticeship with a two-year professional contract to come. Just returned from a five-month lay off with a knee ligament injury. Scored superbly taken goals against Finland and then Denmark in the quarterfinal. Has also played in midfield. Quick with great feet.

Brendan McGill (Rivervalley Rangers). Right winger. Due to join Sunderland in July on a three-year contract. Previous interest from Liverpool and Celtic. Exciting right winger in the traditional sense with bags of pace and trickery with excellent crossing and shooting ability. Has caused problems to every team Ireland has played. From Swords.

David Warren (Mayfield). Midfield/Striker. Like Roy Keane, Warren is from Mayfield but stayed with the local club whereas Keane developed from Rockmount. Has interested Aston Villa and Ipswich Town, but has no offer to go professional as yet. Made late substitute appearances against Finland, Spain and Denmark.

Andrew Reid (Nottingham Forest). Left winger. Not 16 until July, the baby of the squad, but remarkably in the first year of a four-year contract at Forest. From Crumlin, he's played with Lourdes Celtic and Cherry Orchard. A Huge talent who is eligible to play at this age next season. Scored the first goal against Finland during the group stage.

David McMahon (Newcastle United). Striker. Will be back from a one-match suspension to play against Italy in tonight's final. From Finglas, he played all his career with Tolka Rovers before signing a three-year deal with Newcastle last summer. At six feet, two inches, he's caused defences big problems and has been unlucky not to have scored more than the one goal he's got, a towering header which beat Spain. Excellent targetman who makes a nuisance of himself.

The Path to the Final: France (friendly) lost 0-2; Scotland (friendly) won 2-0; Belgium (EC qualifier) won 2-1; Northern Ireland (EC qualifier) drew 0-0; Scotland (UEFA Finals) drew 0-0; Finland (UEFA Finals) won 2-0; Spain (UEFA Finals) won 1-0; Denmark (UEFA QFs) won 2-0; Portugal (UEFA SF) won 2-0.

Record: Played: 9 Won: 6 Drew: 2 Lost: 1.