The Republic of Ireland's Under16 team kick off their campaign for a place at next summer's UEFA finals this evening at Tolka Park when they face Sweden in the opening game of this week's qualification mini-tournament.

With Wimbledon's Anthony O'Shea and Larry Farren of Leeds struggling to overcome injuries during the past few days, team coach Brian Kerr was yesterday still considering calling in one or two more players into his panel but despite the injuries he expressed some satisfaction with the way his preparations had gone for the week-long tournament.

"I said that we'd need to improve a lot on the performances against Belgium if we're going to qualify and I think that from what I've seen in the past few days we're capable of doing that," he said.

Admission to this evening's game, as well as to this afternoon's game between Switzerland and Wales at the Carlisle Grounds, will cost just £2 with children getting into all of this week's games for free.

Munster Senior League side Rockmount will have key players Pat Oldham and Alan Martin back from injury for this afternoon's Eircom sponsored League Cup semi-final against Athlone Town at St Mel's Park.

Manager Billy Cronin must cope without the team's hero from the win against Waterford, however, with Thomas Long likely to be replaced by Ciaran O'Shea up front for the Intermediate Cup champions.

Athlone Town, meanwhile, have virtually a full panel to choose from for the game with only Peter Finn, cup tied as a result of having played for Dundalk already in the competition, ruled out of Joey Malone's starting line up.

Tom Silke or Stephen Mullen will replace the midfielder as Athlone attempt to reach the final of the competition for the first time since 1984 when they eventually finished runners up to Drogheda United.