DUNNE SET FOR DEBUT

JIMMY DUNNE was used to receiving platitudes from the time Manchester United wanted to sign him at 15 but the words of Nicky Butt meant most to him.

Coming towards the end of his third apprenticeship year, the defender from Blackrock in Co Louth was soon to be overage for United’s Under-18s, sparking an honest assessment from Butt.

“Nicky was my manager at U18 level and said there was no guarantee I’d get much game-time for the U23s,” explained Dunne (20). “As a centre-back, Academy football wasn’t doing much for my development. The only way to develop was by playing games at a competitive level and that wouldn’t be the case had I stayed at United.”

A move to Burnley followed while he is now experiencing “men’s football” in a loan move to Acrington who find themselves top of League Two.

Tonight, for the first time in his career, the St Kevin’s Boys graduate will also become an Ireland player. Long ignored at underage level, Noel King has rewarded Dunne’s ascent on the club circuit with a maiden call-up for Ireland’s Under-21 friendly with Iceland in Tallaght (7.30) ahead of the European Championship qualification visit of Azerbaijan next Tuesday. Harry Charsley and Connor Ronan are out of both games.

IRELAND (probable): L Bossin (Notts Forest); C Whelan (Yeovil Town), J Dunne (Accrington), R Sweeney (Bristol Rovers), D Kane (Cork City); J Cullen (West Ham), L Kinsella (Walsall); J Doyle-Hayes (Aston Villa), R Manning (QPR), R Curtis (Derry City); Ronan Hale (Derry City).