International soccer action in athlone tonight

THERE is a chance for local soccer supporters to catch soem international fare in Athlone this evening, as the Republic of Ireland U17s kick-off their UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign against Gibraltar in Lissywollen (7.30pm).

Tom Mohan’s side are in a four-team group with Scotland and Faroe Islands currently meeting in the other Group 1 fixture at Eamon Deacy Park, Galway.

The top two from each group progress to the elite qualifying round alongside the five third-placed teams with the best record against the top pair in their groups. The tournament finals take place in Bulgaria next May with 16 sides.

Ireland beat Gibraltar 4-1 when the sides met at the same stage last season in what was the Mediterranean state’s first ever competitive fixture as a UEFA nation.