IRELAND'S Under 15 cricketers are in action this week when they take part in the Standard Bank Cricket Festival in Jersey.
The four-team competition will see the Irish teenagers pit their wits against Hampshire, Cheshire and the hosts, Jersey.
"I'm looking forward to the huge challenge of playing in this festival against older boys as the other teams here are all aged between 16 and 17," said Ireland Manager Brian Allen.
"It should be a really tough test for the boys, but we saw in the Cork series just how resilient this group was, so myself and Head Coach Simon Johnston are looking for more of that same spirit and determination."
Ireland played traditional rivals Scotland in that aforementioned series in Cork, when they shared the Celtic Cup after a number of pulsating encounters.
"We play six games in just five days against strong opposition on good pitches with a squad of 13, so the boys will have to adapt and push themselves - which is exactly what we wanted to do with the programme this year," added Allen.
The Irish start the week with 50 overs contests against Hampshire and Cheshire, before switching to T20 mode on Wednesday for two games. They face hosts Jersey on Thursday in the 50 over format, while the competition ends on Friday with a placings match.
IRELAND UNDER 15 SQUAD
Neil Rock, (Captain) (Rush), Jack Carson (Waringstown), Seanan Jones (Cork Harlequins), JJ Garth (Pembroke), Cian Nulty (Balbriggan), Gavin Hoey (Pembroke), Kyle Magee (Bonds Glen), Reece Malone (Derriaghy), Gregory McFaul (Bready), James Hunter (Instonians), Stuart Jackson (YMCA), Marcus Poskitt (Coleraine), Bradley McNamara (Instonians).
FIXTURES
Mon 22 August Ireland v Hampshire (50 overs) FB Fields
Tue 23 August Ireland v Cheshire (50 overs) FB Fields
Wed 24 August Match 1 Ireland v Hampshire (T20) Les Quennevais
Wed 24 August Winner 1 v Winner 2/Loser 1 v Loser 2 (T20) Les Quennevais 1/2
Thurs 25 August Ireland v Jersey (50 overs) Grainville
Fri 26 August 1 v 2, 3 v 4, (50 overs) Grainville/FB Fields