Joey O'Brien excused from Ireland's end-of-season friendlies

JOEY O'Brien has become the first player to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of a quartet of international friendlies.

The 28-year-old West Ham United defender has been released from the provisional panel named by Ireland manager Martin O'Neill on Friday.

O'Neill named an initial 32-man panel for the games against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal, but indicated there would be changes. 

O'Brien played for West Ham on Sunday in their 2-0 loss to Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The defender dislocated a shoulder during a game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January and has been excused, following liaison between the relevant medical people, from international duty.

Ireland begin the series with a May 25 meeting with Turkey at the Aviva Stadium before the meet Italy at Fulham's Craven Cottage on May 31. The Irish squad head across the Atlantic for games against Costa Rica (PPL Stadium, Philadelphia) onJune 6 and Portugal (Metlife Stadium, New Jersey) on June 10. 

The squad will be further shortened ahead of the squad meeting up on May 22.