Dessie Curry’s under-16 schoolboys are in Watford this week for games against the Watford Academy as part of their build-up for the new international season.

But two of the panel will be missing, namely Cormac Burke and Michael McClelland who have been called up by the Northern Ireland Under-17 manager Paul Kee for the tour of Sweden.

Curry is keen for his fledglings to get expereince against top opposition. The Under-16 international programme begins next month with games against Finland at Comber on Tuesday September 23 and again at Tillysburn Park two days later, both starting at 5.30pm.

Then it’s straight into the Victory Shield campaign with England providing the opposition at Ballymena on Friday October 3. Scotland is next on November 7 and the final game against Wales is at Mourneview Park on November 21.

All the Victory Shield internationals kick off at 7.40 pm and will be televised live by Sky TV. Any group wishing to gain free entrance should send a s.a.e. to Edwin Ferris, 49 Mount Merrion Park, Belfast BT6 0GA.

Members of the IFA Membership Scheme can use their membership cards for free entry.