O'Neill names 37 man provisional squad for upcoming qualifiers

Martin O'Neill has named a provisional 37-man squad for Ireland's UEFA Euro 2016 Group D qualifier against Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal on Friday, September 4^th, and the UEFA Euro 2016 Group D qualifier against Georgia in Aviva Stadium on Monday, September 7^th.

Today's provisional squad announcement sees the inclusion of Bournemouth's Eunan O'Kane, who earns a first senior call-up and is joined by the uncapped duo of Brentford's Alan Judge and Aberdeen's Adam Rooney.

Derry-born Eunan O'Kane, who switched allegiances from Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland during his youth development, was a regular starter for Bournemouth in the 2013/14 Championship campaign. During the 2014/15 promotion winning season he struggled for game-time, however after last night's start against Liverpool, it seems Martin O'Neill believes he's worth a call-up.

Dublin-born Alan Judge had a very good season last year with play-off hopefuls Brentford, and has started the 2015/16 Championship campaign brightly too. He scored during Brentford's 4-2 victory away at Bristol City on Saturday, and his consistent performances have earned him another call-up to the Irish squad. Having played at almost all under-age levels for Ireland, he's certainly eager to make the step up to the senior team.

Fellow Dubliner Adam Rooney finished the 2014/15 Scottish Premiership season as top goal scorer, scoring 18 goals. That accolade has earned him another call-up to the senior national set-up. Having previously earned nine U21 caps for the national team, he'll offer Martin O'Neill another attacking option and perhaps offer Ireland a future goal scoring source.

Perhaps a surprise exclusion is Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney. Having started both games this season in the Premier League and also having scored against Norwich City, Martin O'Neill has opted to oversee his inclusion in the team.

On the subject of Jack Grealish, Martin O'Neill stated that he awaits a decision by the man himself, while on the subject of Stephen Ireland, Martin stated Ireland has yet to contact him with an interest in playing for the national team again.

Ireland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: David Forde (Millwall), Shay Given (Stoke City), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Rob Elliot (Rob Elliot)

Defenders: Richard Keogh (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Reading), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Stephen Ward (Burnley).

Midfielders: James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glen Whelan (Stoke City), Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth), Aiden McGeady (Everton), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Judge (Brentford), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Stephen Quinn (Reading), David Meyler (Hull City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City).

Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Jon Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Anthony Stokes (Celtic FC), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Adam Rooney (Abderdeen), Simon Cox (Reading).