It is great to see Brian Mc Manus included for the first time in the Irish Under 18 squad for this week's mini tournament in Murcia Spain where he joins up with ex SKB team mates Kian Clarke, Sean Bohan, Kameron Ledwidge and Ray O'Sullivan.

Republic of Ireland Under-18 Head Coach Jim Crawford has selected a 20-man squad for the upcoming Under-18 International Tournament in Spain.

The team will be based just outside Murcia and will train and play all three matches in the Pinatar Arena. It is the second year in a row, Crawford has brought a side to the tournament.

"It's a barometer of where the players are in terms of their development. The players want to be testing themselves against the likes of Belgium, England and the Netherlands.

Ireland begin their campaign on Thursday afternoon against Belgium. Kick-off is at 2pm (1pm Irish time).

Republic of Ireland Under-18 Squad
Goalkeepers: Sean Bohan (Bohemians), Kian Clarke (Shamrock Rovers)
Defenders: Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers), Tom Gaston (Girondins de Bordeaux), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Max Murphy (Stoke City), Ray O'Sullivan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Reece Staunton (Bradford City),
Midfielders: Sean Brennan (Southampton), Barry Coffey (Celtic), Shane Flynn (Leicester City), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday), Jason Knight (Derby County), Brian McManus (Preston North End), Callum Thompson (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Forwards: Jake Ellis (Bray Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Tyriek Wright (Aston Villa)

Under-18 International Tournament Fixtures
15/11: Republic of Ireland v Belgium, Pinatar Arena, 2pm (1pm Irish time)
17/11: Republic of Ireland v England, Pinatar Arena, 2pm (1pm Irish time)
19/11: Republic of Ireland v Netherlands, Pinatar Arena, 1pm (12pm Irish time)