FOOTBALL:Edgar and Law in Schoolboy squad for Finland games

The team will play Finland at Shamrock Park, Portadown on Monday 17 September, kick off 7.00 pm, and two days later the teams meet again at the New Grosvenor Stadium with a 5.00 pm kick off.

Fourteen players were capped last season at Under 15 level in games against Austria but Curry stresses the importance of next week’s games.

“The players saw against Austria the standard required at international level,” he said.

“The squad has been working very hard during the summer and these games will enable me to have a good look at everyone before we embark on our Victory Shield campaign,” added Curry.

The Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association is offering free entrance to any school or youth group wishing to attend the games. Any group wishing to gain free entrance should contact the NISFA Treasurer Edwin Ferris by email [email protected] to obtain a group pass.

After the Finland games, Curry will whittle the squad down to 18 for the Victory Shield campaign.

The Sky Sports Victory Shield competition begins with Northern Ireland facing England at Dungannon on Thursday 27 September, kick off 7.35 pm, in a game which will be televised live by Sky TV. A group pass can also be obtained by emailing [email protected].