Young guns out to impress U21 boss Baraclough
SEVERAL Irish League players have been selected for the Northern Ireland Under-21 development training camp this weekend.
The four-day camp, which gets under way today, will provide Under-21 boss Ian Baraclough with an opportunity to assess teenage talent breaking through.
Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte and Glenavon ace Mark Sykes have shown how the Danske Bank Premiership’s finest can progress in the international set-up and this training squad is heavily weighted towards Northern Ireland Football League players.
Bobby Burns, who is leaving Glenavon for Hearts after netting eight goals in 41 appearances for the Lurgan Blues, is included. Players selected for the camp: Alex Moore (Linfield), Declan Dunne (Cliftonville), Josh Brownlee (Ballinamallard United), Nathan Kerr (Glentoran), Matthew Smyth (Ballinamallard United), Brendan Glackin (Carrick Rangers), Dylan Davidson (Glentoran), Matthew Lynch (Linfield), Kofi Balmer (Ballymena United), Rhyss Campbell (Dungannon Swifts), Dylan King (Motherwell), Chris Crane (Cliftonville), Liam Hassin (Carrick Rangers), Josh Kelly (Ards), Ross Larkin (Portadown), Liam McKenna (Warrenpoint), Bobby Burns (Hearts), Jonah Mitchell (Ards), Matthew Shevlin (Ballymena United), Harry Robinson (Oldham Athletic), Luke Wilson (Portadown).
In the Danske Bank Premiership, defender Michael Ruddy has left Ards and agreed a two-year deal with Crusaders.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to win trophies with Crusaders and I’m excited by the challenge,” said Ruddy.
Striker Mark Kelly has joined the north Down club after leaving Ballyclare Comrades.
Jay Donnelly and Levi Ives have agreed new deals at Cliftonville while Tomas Cosgrove and Jude Winchester are leaving the club.
Dungannon Swifts midfielder Ryan Mayse has been placed on the transfer list at his own request.
Coleraine have handed new deals to defensive duo Steven Douglas and Adam Mullan.
Douglas, who will be 41 in September, has signed a new one-year contract extension while Mullan has been rewarded with a threeyear deal. Newly-promoted Newry City AFC have signed Stephen Teggart and Dale Montgomery.