Former Schools Player to star at Aviva

Former FAI Schools International and Bohemians striker Paddy Madden has been one of the form players in this season's Airtricity League campaign and the 20-year-old sees no reason why he can't continue his rich vein against Manchester United on Wednesday.

The former Chanel College student who featured for the Schools International set up during the 2007/08 campaign has had a whirlwind season for Bohs. He has racked up an impressive ten goals already in his first full season with the Gypsies, is part of the Airtricity League representative squad preparing for Wednesday's historic first-ever soccer match to be played at the Aviva Stadium.

And, while English Premier League giants Manchester United are roaring favourites to win the friendly, Madden is firmly of the belief that the home-based team will make life difficult for Alex Ferguson's men.

"It's a nice game to play in - but like any game I play in I expect to win," said the Irish Under-21 international following the squad's first training session at Gannon Park, Malahide on Sunday.

"We won't treat this as a mess around in the park. We'll be out there to win and hopefully we will get the win."

Madden's early impressions of squad manager Damien Richardson is that of a leader who demands the best from his charges, a trait he welcomes.

"The first training session (on Sunday) was very good. I enjoyed the session today with Damien. He wants everything out of his players and that's something I like about a manager," he stated.

"He says to have confidence in yourself and if you have confidence you're capable of beating anyone. We're looking forward to the next few days working with him.

"Hopefully we can go out on Wednesday and do the league proud, hopefully other teams will keep coming over and help the Airtricity League out."

The duel against the Red Devils also provides one of the league's most talented strikers the opportunity to lock horns with the club he idolised growing up.

He said: "When I heard that I'd got into the squad I was chuffed because as a (Manchester) United fan I'm getting to play against the team I support all my life so I'm looking forward to it.

"(Wayne) Rooney and (Nemanja) Vidic...I look up to all of them as players and I'll be out to learn a few things off them on Wednesday."

Airtricity League Squad to play Manchester United at Aviva Stadium on 4 August:

Gary Rogers (St. Patrick's Athletic), Gerard Doherty (Derry City), Brian Shelley (Bohemians), Ger O'Brien (Sporting Fingal), Ken Oman (Bohemians), Gavin Peers (Sligo Rovers), Conor Powell (Bohemians), Conor Kenna (St. Patrick's Athletic), Paul Keegan (Bohemians), Shaun Williams (Sporting Fingal), Alan Kirby (Sporting Fingal), Joseph Ndo (Sligo Rovers), Richie Ryan (Sligo Rovers), Stephen O'Donnell (Galway United), Killian Brennan (Bohemians), Paddy Madden (Bohemians), Karl Sheppard (Galway United), Ryan Guy (St. Patrick's Athletic).