Martin O’Neill’s men need all the help they can get.
Ronan Curtis has earned his first call-up for Ireland ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Poland.
The 22-year-old forward has caught the eye recently with Portsmouth and scored a fine strike for Noel King’s U21 side to earn a 1-1 draw with Kosovo on Friday.
Curtis, who spent three years with Derry City, moved to Portsmouth back in May and has since established himself as a key member of the Pompey attack, with five goals in six League One appearances so far this season.
Squad Update | Ronan Curtis added to Republic of Ireland squad.
Full story: https://t.co/miC4TDX41H #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/xKdkXUogQv
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 9, 2018
The Donegal-raised striker’s goal against Kosovo was his first for his country and has earned him a promotion to the seniors. Curtis would have been suspended for the U21’s crucial European Championship qualifier against Germany in Tallaght on Tuesday night.
Ireland are without the injured Stephen Ward, who has returned to Burnley with a foot problem sustained in Thursday’s crushing 4-1 defeat in Wales.
Republic of Ireland Squad v Poland
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City)
Forwards: Graham Burke, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Ronan Cutis (Portsmouth)
