It’s a quiet week on the domestic front but a number of the club’s young stars will be in action for their respective countries over the next couple of days.

Nathan Shepperd (pictured above), Joe Adams and Dan Williams are currently with the Welsh U21 squad for their upcoming UEFA European Championship Qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria.

The Stade de la Tuilière in Lausanne is the venue for Friday evening’s showdown with the table-topping Swiss before the Welsh, who sit in fourth place in Group Five, welcome Bulgaria to Rodney Parade in Newport next Tuesday, March 29th at 3pm.

Republic of Ireland U17

Senan Mullen is away with the Republic of Ireland’s U17 squad for this week’s Elite Phase qualifiers in Portugal.

Senan, who has enjoyed a fine start to the U19 EA SPORTS National Underage League season, was named on the bench for the opening fixture against the host country on Wednesday afternoon.

Colin O’Brien’s side also face Finland on Saturday, March 26th at 11am before rounding off the trip with a fixture against Bulgaria on Tuesday, March 29th at 3pm.

The Republic of Ireland U18 squad pictured before the Centenary Shield game with Scotland with Dundalk players Tadgh Walsh (6) and Michael Keyes (2) included. Photo: Sportsfile

Centenary Shield

Michael Keyes, Tadhg Walsh and Oisin Coleman were all named in the matchday squad as the Republic of Ireland U18 squad defeated Scotland 2-1 in their first match of the Inspiresport Centenary Shield on St Patrick’s Day.

Midfielder Walsh captained the side on the night with Keyes playing 71 minutes at full-back. Coleman, who normally plays alongside Walsh in the middle of the park for the Lilywhites U19 team, was an unused sub.

The next test for John McShane’s Irish side is a trip to Maginn Park on March 31st where they will take on Northern Ireland.

Republic of Ireland U15

Luke Mulligan featured in both of the Republic of Ireland U15 squad’s friendly games against Wales last week.

The Welsh won the opening game 2-1 on March 15th but Jason Donohue’s team bounced back with a commanding performance in Newport three days later to win 3-2.