INSTITUTE'S David Ogilby is thrilled to be selected for a second time in Northern Ireland's Under 23 international squad.
Having played the entire 90 minutes in Northern Ireland's 2-1 defeat to Belgium in December, the big centre-back has been selected again by David Jeffrey for next Tuesday night's UEFA International Challenge Trophy qualifier against the Republic of
Ireland at Mourneview Park.
"Obviously I'm delighted to be selected again for my country," said Ogilby.
"There is quite a few tasty players in each squad. In fact it's probably the best players from throughout Ireland playing against each other."
In their opening game the lads from Northern Ireland suffered a defeat, while the Republic defeated Slovakia and because of those results the Strathfoyle man feels this is a must win game for his side.
"Because you only have three matches in each group I feel we need to win our last two games because of the defeat in Belgium.
"I know we can win the game. We have played against all the players in their squad. We know it's going to be tough, because the Republic side has quite a few good players."
In regards to his future with the Drumahoe club, the vice-captain said he is happy at the Riverside Stadium,
But he said he is frustrated about the lack of progress on the invitational league.
"As far as I'm concerned I still have a year left on my contract with Institute and unless that changes I'm happy enough to stay.
"However I'm a little bit annoyed that we still don't know what league we'll be playing in next season and to be honest I think that is a disgrace."
Meanwhile it's expected that 'Stute will find out next Tuesday, if they have been given the green light to take up their their place in next season's Invitational League.
Only a few weeks ago the Drumahoe club received a massive boost when the IFA Executive Committee decided to reject Portadown's application for membership of the new IFA Premiership for the 2008/09 campaign.
However Ronnie McFall's men have lodged an appeal with the IFA Appeals Committee, which is expected to be heard next Monday.
Either way Ogilby and Co will just be happy to find out which division they'll be playing in next season.
The full article contains 401 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.