Garvan looks to learn from mistakes

Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan hopes the Republic of Ireland Under-21s will learn from their mistakes as they prepare for their next qualifying campaign.

Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan hopes the Republic of Ireland Under-21s will learn from their mistakes as they prepare for their next qualifying campaign.

The Irish face Bulgaria tonight and Portugal next Tuesday in their latest UEFA Under-21 Championship matches but with qualification already out of reach, boss Don Givens is looking to the future.

"The manager is keen to get the younger group of players through and I think that's good because it's looking to the next campaign," Garvan said.

"Some of the lads are new to Under-21 level but there's a few of us who have been here before.

"We played quite well during the whole campaign but we've been punished for making small mistakes.

"We have played good teams like England and Portugal but in the next campaign we have to learn not to make those mistakes.'

Garvan is hoping to use both the forthcoming away games to push his case for inclusion in the senior squad in future.

The 20-year-old was a member of Giovanni Trapattoni's party for the recent friendlies against Colombia and Serbia and is determined to work his way back in.

"To be a part of the squad meant that somebody was taking notice of me', the Dublin-born player said.

"All I want to do now is play for the Under-21s and hopefully if I do well the senior team will be watching.'