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Football

06th Nov 2018

Caoimhin Kelleher among four new faces in provisional Ireland squad

Robert Redmond

There are four new faces in the provisional squad.

The Republic of Ireland have announced a 36-man provisional squad for November’s matches against Northern Ireland and Denmark.

Martin O’Neill’s side will take on Northern Ireland in a friendly on November 15 at the Aviva Stadium. They will then complete their Uefa Nations League campaign with a match against Denmark in Aarhus on November 17.

Robbie Brady and Seamus Coleman return to the squad after injury and there are a couple of new faces in the selection. Glenn Whelan will captain the team against Northern Ireland in what will be his 85th cap, but he won’t be part of the squad for the Denmark match.

There are first senior call-ups for Caoimhin Kelleher, Jimmy Dunne, Ryan Manning and Michael Obafemi.

Kelleher is Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper. The 19-year-old from Cork has travelled with Jurgen Klopp’s squad for their Champions League tie against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday night.

Dunne is on loan at Hearts from Burnley. The 21-year-old Drogheda-native has played twice for Ireland U21s and is a central defender.

Manning is on loan at Rotherham United from Queens Park Rangers. The 22-year-old midfielder has played for Mervue and Galway United and for Ireland at underage level.

Obafemi plays as a forward for Southampton. He was born in Dublin to Nigerian parents and grew up in London. He has played three times for Ireland at underage level.

Here is the provisional squad, which will be reduced when the squad meet up on Monday.

Republic of Ireland Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Jimmy Dunne (Hearts*), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Cardiff City)

Midfielders: Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Harry Arter (Cardiff City*), Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), David Meyler (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), Richie Towell, Ryan Manning (Rotherham United*), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)

Forwards: Shane Long, Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Sean Maguire, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O’Brien (Millwall), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)

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