O'BRIEN: SQUAD BONDING IS KEY TO DOHA HOPES

FROM Leaving Cert studies to games rooms and table tennis and head tennis competitions, Ireland's Under-17 World Cup hopefuls haven't been short of ways to keep the anxiety at bay ahead of today's opener.

- BY MARK McCADDEN

The Boys in Green kick off their campaign against Panama in Doha (12.30pm Irish time) eager to get off to a winning start.

Colin O'Brien's squad arrived in Qatar at the weekend and they have been busy preparing for their Group J adventure - but there's been plenty of downtime too.

Last week, before they travelled, they heard from former St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne and Bray Wanderers midfielder Thomas Morgan. who captained Ireland to third place in the 1997 Under-20 World Cup.

He spoke of his experiences on and off the pitch - and O'Brien outlined some of the activities that have entertained his players in the buildup to today's game.