Airtricity League name squad to face Manchester United

Damien Richardson, the Airtricity League XI manager, has today named his 18-man squad to face Manchester United on 4 August in Dublin.

The Airtricity Challenge is the first event to take place at Ireland’s newly-developed Aviva Stadium, which replaces Lansdowne Road as the home of Irish soccer and rugby.

A selection of players from the Irish domestic league will take on the 18-time English champions with the members of Richardson’s squad having been drawn from six different clubs in the Airtricity League including Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic.

As he announced his squad, Richardson said he was looking forward to playing his part in the historic opening of the new home of Irish soccer.

“August 4th is a big day for Irish football,” said Richardson.

“The opening of the new stadium is hugely important for the development of the game and I am delighted that the Airtricity League will be central to such an historic occasion.”

He added: “I have selected a strong squad for the match against Manchester United. There is plenty of talent in the Airtricity League and I faced a difficult decision in reducing the numbers down to 18.

“I am very much looking forward to getting out on the training ground with the players as we prepare to represent the Airtricity League against such a big club as Manchester United.”

Full Airtricity League XI squad to face Manchester United on 4 August:
Gary Rogers, Gerard Doherty, Brian Shelley, Ger O’Brien, Ken Oman, Gavin Peers, Conor Powell, Conor Kenna, Paul Keegan, Shaun Williams, Alan Kirby, Joseph Ndo, Richie Ryan, Stephen O’Donnell, Killian Brennan, Paddy Madden, Karl Sheppard, Ryan Guy.

Stand-by list:
Peter Cherrie, Alan Keane, Patrick McEleney, Dave Mulcahy, Ciaran Kilduff, Padraig Amond, Fahrudin Kudozovic.