TOMMY CONNOLLY leads his under 21 side into this evening's representative match against the USA at Tolka Park firmly believing that the match is the start of a new era for the up and coming stars of the domestic game.
The call up of Stephen Geoghegan, to the senior Irish panel has, he feels, sent a message from Mick McCarthy to the league's players that it is no longer necessary to play across the water in order to be considered for international honours and Connolly is hoping that will be enough incentive for his team tonight.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for all of them," he said last night. "Mick McCarthy or Ian Evans might not be there but I'm sure Brian Kerr will be having a look at how the lads do and reporting back so there is plenty for all of them to play for.
Connolly will be hoping to have a full panel to choose from after Cork City's Derek Coughlan chose to join up with the National League squad for training last night despite missing his club's win over Finn Harps yesterday.
Coughlan had appeared likely to miss the game due to a combination of the flu and a dead leg. His availability would be a bonus for Connolly who had called Bray Wanderers defender Jody Lynch in as cover yesterday while also adding Shamrock Rovers player Sean Kavanagh to his 16 strong squad.
Another question mark hangs over Coughlan's team mate Noel Hartigan who Connolly feels may need to be rested after a hectic week but, he says, "if he seems to be tired we may simply start with somebody else and bring him into it later on".
At club level, meanwhile, Derry and Waterford United both received FAI Cup boosts over the weekend as key players made successful returns from injury.
Derry manager Felix Healy admitted that Peter Hutton was "a little stiff and sore" after his return to action at Belfield Park on Sunday but was "very hopeful" he'd be ready to play against Bohemians. Trond Debes, meanwhile, suffered "absolutely no problems whatsover" - after coming on in the closing stage - of Waterford's win at Athlone on Friday according to Tommy Lynch who, like Healy, expects to have a full squad to choose from for this weekend's Cup match.
