REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-23 TEAM:FORMER UCD, Drogheda United and Cork City manager Paul Doolin was yesterday named as the new manager of the Ireland under-23 side.

The team, which is made up of young players from the league here, will this year compete for the second time in the International Trophy, with England coming to Waterford on May 26th for the first of Ireland’s two qualifying games.

Doolin’s appointment is no great surprise, with the 46 year-old having done well in the various management jobs he has taken since the end of a glittering playing career.

His particular appeal to the FAI at this point, though, is that he is, since his departure from Cork at the end of last season, out of work, something that will give him the freedom to concentrate on selecting, then working with, a squad that is likely to include the likes of Ian Bermingham, Pádraig Amond and Conor Powell.

“The situation is that if I went back to work with a club then I’d have to give it up, but that’s only right,” he said yesterday.

“It’s best that the manager is seen as being free from any conflicts of interest. After the experiences I’ve had over the last couple of years, though, I’ll be thinking hard about any offers that I get and in the meantime I’m very proud to have been given this job.”

The English side to come here will consist of young players drawn from the Conference, while Ireland’s other qualification game involves a trip to Estonia in late September.