REPUBLIC of Ireland U19s head coach Paul Doolin has named his squad for a double-header of friendlies against Slovenia next week.

The Irish will meet the Slovenes at RSC Waterford on Tuesday, September 3 (7.00pm), and Thursday, September 4 (1.00pm).

Ireland's U19s played Norway in two friendlies earlier this month and will travel to Sweden for their UEFA U19 Championships qualifying round game in October. They face Azerbaijan, Sweden and Bosnia Herzegovina in the qualifiers.

"The last two games was a new group coming together. We're looking for them to do things and they may be used to different ways of doing things but we're looking to get a good group together on and off the pitch," said Doolin.

"We had these players in Switzerland last year and knew that we had some things to work on - after the Norway friendlies we could see that we still have a bit of work to do.

"At U17 level they were unlucky but they lost three games at the elite stage. We've probably conceded too many goals.

"Norway had four games in the Nordic Cup before we played them and looked a bit ahead of us physically. Most of our guys hadn't any football under their belt being early in the season.

"Slovenia gives us an opportunity to look at some new faces and work with some of the players we've done a bit with. We're trying to get a squad together for the first phase in UEFA.

"It's difficult at this stage when you're starting over again. I think it'll be a tough first phase for us this year. We had one game last year before the first phase and managed to turn in a great performance. I've no doubt there'll be a big improvement in the squad from the last games.

"We're looking forward to playing in Waterford on a great pitch. Slovenia have given us good games in the past but the main thing for us is to improve and be ready for our first game in the qualifiers against Azerbaijan."

Republic of Ireland U19 squad:

Eric Grimes (Leeds Utd FC)

Shane Fagan (Shamrock Rovers FC)

Colm Crowe (UCD AFC)

Craig Donnellan (Cork City FC)

Alan Browne (Cork City FC)

Bobby Moseley (Birmingham City FC)

Noe Baba (Fulham FC)

Dean O'Halloran (Fulham FC)

Adam Wixted (Derby County FC)

Seán Long (Reading FC)

Liam Kelly (Reading FC)

Kyle McFadden (Norwich City FC)

Sam Byrne (Manchester Utd FC)

Alex O'Hanlon (Liverpool FC)

Bradley Lewis (Aston Villa FC)

Kevin Toner (Aston Villa FC)

Steven McCarthy (Sunderland FC)

Alan O'Sullivan (Aberdeen FC)

Tuesday September 3

Under 19 International Friendly

Republic of Ireland v Slovenia

RSC, Waterford (7.00pm)

Thursday September 5

Under 19 International Friendly

Republic of Ireland v Slovenia

RSC, Waterford (1.00pm)