Fresh from Larne’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers in the Uefa Conference League, another all-Ireland battle will unfold at Seaview on Friday night, this time at youth international level.
Northern Ireland Under-17s will face their Republic of Ireland counterparts as part of a four-team mini-tournament of the Euro 2025 qualifiers (6.00pm)
Andy Waterworth’s young guns shot down Scotland 3-1 at the north Belfast venue.
Seaview and Inver Park are host venues, and on Monday, Northern Ireland will take on Lithuania at the home of Crusaders (3pm).
Glenavon’s Paul McGovern scored twice against the Scots, with Ipswich Town’s Darragh McCann also on target.
Waterworth is being supported by Kris Lindsay, David Miskelly and Gareth McAuley during the tournament.
Darragh McCann celebrates Northern Ireland U17s’ second goal in the win over Scotland
In Round One, the top two teams in 14 groups qualify to take part in Round Two, League A, which will decide the seven teams joining hosts Albania in the Finals in the summer of 2025, and the other teams transfer to Round Two, League B.
Included in the panel is George Feeney, son of former Glentoran manager and Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney.
George returned to the Northern Ireland fold after a stint playing at youth level for Wales.
If the Tottenham Hotspur youth team star can make the grade at international level, he will become the fourth generation of the Feeney family to be capped by Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland U17 sides have progressed from the Qualifying (First) Round to the Elite Round of Uefa U17 Euro qualifiers over the previous two seasons.
Former Linfield and Glentoran striker Waterworth is hoping his boys can celebrate back-to-back wins.
Ex -Linfield and Glentoran manager Warren Feeney: ‘The Irish League is the weakest it’s been’
“It’s a big game against the Republic, and while looking at the opposition, we always want to give a good account of ourselves,” said Waterworth.
“In youth football, you have to know what you are about as a team, we will look to polish our performance, but with that dedication and commitment, we have a good chance of positive outcomes in the next two games.
“I’m very proud of the players, I felt they showcased their talent against Scotland.
“They (Scotland) were better in the first-half, we were perhaps nervous, but we showed quality and some breathtaking play.
“Kris (Lindsay) does a lot of work with the team on set-pieces, and we have plenty of match-winners.
“I’ve watched Paul McGovern a lot this year at Glenavon, and he’s a real goal threat.
“Our full-backs got high and wide and combined well with the wide players.
“The lads are good characters, and I am proud of them as they really wanted to perform well at home.”
Northern Ireland U17s coach Andy Waterworth is confident in his players’ abilities
Northern Ireland squad for the U17 Euro qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Finn McDonnell (Bohemians), Zak Robinson (Larne)
Defenders: Callum Leacock (Linfield), Darragh McCann (Ipswich Town), Cead McGrath (Derry City), Oisin Gamble (Cliftonville), Noah McDonnell (Aberdeen), Jo Orpwood (Gillingham)
Midfielders: Alex Eakin (Larne), Alex Watson (Linfield), Troy Savage (Burnley), Jack Faloona (Glentoran), Matthew Burns (Coleraine)
Forwards: Paul McGovern and Chris Atherton (both Glenavon), Joel Kerr (Glentoran), George Feeney (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Hawe (Ballymena United), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal), Scott Hamilton (Nottingham Forest)