Graham Burke part of provisional Ireland squad for upcoming friendlies

Shamrock Rovers player Graham Burke was named by Martin O’Neill in his initial Republic of Ireland squad for the friendlies against Celtic (20 May), France (28 May) and United States (2 June).

O’Neill made the announcement at the SPAR Primary 5s Leinster Finals in Navan. 24-year-old Burke has been in excellent form this season. He is joint top scorer in the Premier Division with nine goals from 16 starts. 

Against Derry City in March, Burke became the first Hoops player to score four goals in one match for more than a quarter of a century.

O’Neill was in Tallaght recently when Rovers defeated double winners Cork City 3-0 with Burke, the former Aston Villa player, getting a trademark long range strike that night. 

"I don't think [the call up] was necessarily just for that, although it was a fantastic goal,” said O’Neill speaking to RTE.ie at the squad announcement.

"It was his overall play and I think he did really fine in the game. It's nice to go and see the players live for yourself, and it gives you an indication of their ability when you see it rather than seeing snippets.

O’Neill has shown he isn’t shy of calling up players from the SSE Airtricity League having involved Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan and Gary Rogers in recent years.

Burke's club coach Stephen Bradley had this to say about the call up. “Obviously we are delighted for Graham who has been outstanding for the club since he joined us just over a year ago. He has shown that he can score goals from just about anywhere and he contributes so much to the team. It is great recognition for the player and for our league." 

Ex-League of Ireland players receiving their first senior call-ups this time around are former Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper and current Peterborough United ‘keeper Conor O'Malley, along with former Finn Harps and Sporting Fingal player and current Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams

Meanwhile England underage international Callum Robinson from Preston North End is in the Ireland senior squad for the first time and he will be able to play in the match in Celtic Park but his international clearance won’t be complete for the other two matches.

Included by O'Neill once again are former Bohs player Matt Doherty, Scott Hogan and Declan Rice who all made their debut for the Boys in Green in the recent friendly against Turkey.

Robbie Brady (knee), James McCarthy (broken leg), Jonny Hayes (ankle) and Aiden McGeady (ankle) all miss out due to injury but Burnley forward Jon Walters is available for selection once again.

The FAI confirmed that some players will drop out of the squad after the Celtic game on Sunday 20 May in Celtic Park. So it is Iikely Graham Burke will miss Rovers’ trip to Sligo the previous day but may be available for the Hoops’ home game against St. Pat’s on Tuesday 22 May.

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley noted that his club are "in the middle of the second series of league games when the International games come around so I will be speaking with Martin [O’Neill] on how we can best accommodate each other and hopefully we see Graham wear the Ireland jersey soon enough.”

Republic of Ireland Men's National Team - Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Kieran O'Hara (Manchester United), Ian Lawlor (Doncaster Rovers), Conor O'Malley (Peterborough United)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Alex Pearce, Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End)

Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), David Meyler (Hull City), Shaun Williams (Millwall), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)

Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Sean Maguire, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers)

All @ShamrockRovers are delighted for @burkey1993 on his call up to @FAIreland Senior International squad today. Come and see Graham in action tomorrow 8pm #ClubAndCountry@tallaghtstadium v @WaterfordFCiepic.twitter.com/uEeD8JQu4p

— Shamrock Rovers F.C. (@ShamrockRovers) May 10, 2018