Stephen Kenny selects squad for upcoming friendlies

Stephen Kenny

Stephen Kenny Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from FAI HQ

Stephen Kenny has named a 25-players squad for the upcoming Republic of Ireland international friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania.

Kenny has included for the first time Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes in addition to Connor Ronan – the Wolves player is currently on loan with St. Mirren.

Returning to the squad is Dara O’Shea as the West Bromwich Albion defender is back after suffering a fractured ankle in Ireland’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal in September.

Also included is Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan who makes his first appearance in a Republic of Ireland since the 2019 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

There is no place for Aaron Connolly or Michael Obafemi who turned down a place in Ireland's under-21 squad.

Ireland will play Belgium in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 26 March which is being billied as the FAI Centenary match and will follow that up with another friendly fixture against Lithuania in Lansdowne Road the following Tuesday. 

Republic of Ireland Squad - Belgium and Lithuania

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR, on loan from Newastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Mark Sykes (Oxford United).

Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St. Mirren, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).



    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile