TOWN'S Academy were today starting a week's tour in the Republic of Ireland.

John Dungworth's side will be based at University College Dublin and will have matches against Shelbourne tomorrow and UCD on Thursday.

Academy director Gerry Murphy explained: "The facilities at UCD are excellent, exactly what we want, and it will be good experience for the lads.

"We have got 18 players in the Academy this season, including six joining for the first time, and we are taking them all on the tour."

Along with Murphy and Dungworth, coach Chris Howarth and physio David Roach complete the travelling staff group for the Academy, who start their season proper in the FA Academy Premier League against Wimbledon at home on Saturday, August 23 (11.00).

By then, the Academy will be ready to move into a new purpose-built £1.3m facility which is nearing completion at Leeds Road Playing Fields.

Tomorrow's match against Shelbourne will not be staged at Tolka Park because of this weekend's tournament involving Leeds and Aston Villa.

It will be played instead at AUL, a complex near the airport, and will kick off at 7pm.

Thursday's match against UCD also kicks off at 7pm at Bellfield.

Cambridge Match report