Young Owls Duo Earn Call-Ups

Young Owls duo David McClements and Liam McMenamin have been rewarded for their fine form by being selected for the Northern Ireland under-19 squad this week.

The pair will play a vital part in Northern Ireland's Under-19 European Championship qualifying tournament held in Cyprus, which kicks-off tonight against Austria.

McClements, who turned down Manchester City to join the Owls, broke in to the Owls' first team squad towards the end of last season and Brian Laws has sent the youngster off to Hinckley to get some first team experience.

And McMenamin has also pulled in the plaudits from the Owls' academy, signing his first pro contract at Hillsborough alongside his Northern Ireland colleague.

And academy boss Sean McAuley has tipped the duo for big things in the future.

'We spotted Liam over there in Northern Ireland. He spent a week on trial with us and we signed him on a scholarship,' McAuley told the Sheffield Star.

'He's technically a very good player, a defender. He was involved with the first team in pre-season.

'David is a winger. He was with Manchester City and wasn't enjoying it there. He preferred our philosophy.

'He was wanted in Scotland by Hibs too. He's come through the international ranks from schoolboy onwards.'

And both are expected to play key roles when they kick off the tournament against Austria tonight, before facing Slovakia on Thursday and Cyprus on Sunday.

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