OWEN Garvan has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad to face Portugal next week.Irish selectors have overlooked the Ipswich Town midfielder in recent years but his good form has finally been recognised.

By Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan has been called into the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad to face Portugal next week.

Irish selectors have overlooked the Ipswich Town midfielder in recent years but his good form has finally been recognised.

Blues striker Billy Clarke is also in the squad and will be playing in front of his hometown fans in Cork.

The duo will also hoping to make the squad next month when the Republic face England, also in Cork.

Young Ipswich defender Tommy Smith was an unused substitute as England Under 17s set up a quarterfinal tie against Germany on Sunday after beating Syria 3-1 in the FIFA Under 17s World Cup finals in Korea.