SOCCER:THE Republic of Ireland Under-19s will be without regular right back Matt Doherty through suspension for tomorrow's European Championship semi-final against tournament favourites Spain in Chiajna. The game will kick-off at 8.45pm local time (6.45pm, Irish time) and is to be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and Eurosport, writes John Fallon.

Wolves first-team player Doherty collected his second booking of the group phase in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against host nation Romania, a result which enabled Ireland join pool winners Czech Republic in the last four of a tournament which started out with 52 nations at the first qualifying phase last September.

Best placed to deputise for Doherty is Wrexham right back Declan Walker, although coach Paul Doolin could favour the option of switching Anthony O’Connor across from left back and restoring Derrick Williams to that role.

Doolin allowed his players a day of recuperation yesterday in the wake of Tuesday’s draining encounter. On-pitch temperatures touching 30 degrees within the Berceni Stadium close to Bucharest resulted in the players losing an average body weight of 2kg.

Confidence in reaching the final was high amongst the Irish players yesterday in spite of Spain’s reputation and their relentless pursuit of a fifth under-19 title in 11 years. Doolin said: “The players know the prize at stake here. They’re up against the best nation in world football at the moment but they’ve beaten some big teams during the campaign already and this is just another challenge to face them.”

UEFA Under-19 European Championship semi-finals: Friday – Spain v Republic of Ireland, Chiajna (8.45pm, local time), Czech Republic v Serbia, Mogosoaia (6.45pm, local time). Final: Monday, August 1st – Chiajna (6pm, local time).