Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle have been called into the Republic of Ireland provisional squad.
Martin O’Neill takes his side to Austria for a crucial qualifier in Vienna on November 12 and the Dundalk pair have been included in the 35-man selection.
It comes as just reward for both the frightening winger and his defensive team mate for a string of impressive performances that have not only propelled the two of them to national prominence, but they’ve elevated the club to continental acclaim.
Dundalk have been playing the sort of confident, stylish football that not many Irish people have been used to of late and the rise of Stephen Kenny’s team has seen a bigger and bigger clamour to have some of the League of Ireland players recognised by the national team.
Daryl Horgan in 35-man Ireland squad, but Shane Long out
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) November 2, 2016
The bad news is however that Shane Long will miss out.
Ireland have just one game for this international break – no friendlies before or after – so O’Neill won’t get the chance to test out a team without Long in it and even potentially with the Dundalk duo.
MON – "Shane is definitely out, that's the report coming through from Southampton. That's a blow."
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) November 2, 2016
Stephen Ward is included in the squad but he picked up an injury at the weekend with Burnley whilst John O’Shea too had to pull out of club action which could just push Andy Boyle up the list of defenders.
BREAKING: Martin O'Neill has announced his provisional squad to face Austria with first call-ups for Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/3fXa41xMNj
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 2, 2016
James McCarthy is also included in the 35-man panel. That’ll keep the Everton lot happy.
MON on Koeman's complaints over Ireland's use of James McCarthy- 'I totally refute that..he trained on day manager was bleating about it'
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) November 2, 2016
