39 players have the cut, but expect more… cuts.
Mick McCarthy has named a healthy dollop of players in his provisional Ireland squad for the upcoming games against New Zealand (friendly) and Denmark (Euro 2020 Qualifier).
The Ireland boss has recalled Robbie Brady and Shane Long to his squad while there are a number of Under 21 stars also named.
It is likely that McCarthy will release many of the younger members of this provisional senior squad to Stephen Kenny’s U21s but a few may be retained for the friendly run-out against the ‘All Whites’ and, following on from that, the crucial game against the Danes.
There are five goalkeepers included in the squad, with Darren Randolph likely to get the No.1 jersey for the Denmark game. Mark Travers, Kieran O’Hara and Caoimhin Kelleher will all be vying for a role in that New Zealand game.
Ireland captain Seamus Coleman is not in the 11 defenders named. He is out of the Denmark game and McCarthy may well be planning on trying out some other right backs against the Kiwis. Ciaran Clark is also back in the extended squad.
Ryan Manning, who can play in defence or midfield for QPR, has earned his first call-up and he will hope to make the cut when McCarthy reduces that squad closer to the two matches.
In midfield, the big returnee is Brady while Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy is also in there. It is in the forwards that Irish supporters may find themselves getting excited.
U21 stars Troy Parrott (Tottenham), Aaron Connolly (Brighton) and Michael Obafemi (Southampton) are all named while Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick is also back in the mix. McCarthy said:
“The New Zealand game is a chance to have a look at the players who are fighting to be in the team and some of the players fighting to be in the squad. We saw how beneficial it was to change things up for the recent Bulgaria friendly and we may well do that again against New Zealand.
“It could be the perfect opportunity to have a look at Troy Parrott for example and see how he makes the step-up to senior international football after impressing so many people at underage level with Ireland and Spurs.
“We know what we have to do against Denmark and we will look to the tried and the trusted to win that game but who knows what will happen against New Zealand. Maybe someone will take their chance in that match and give me something to think about.”
PROVISIONAL IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (Burton Albion, on loan from Manchester United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), John Egan (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kevin Long (Burnley), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning (QPR), Nathan Collins (Stoke City)
Midfielders: Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic, on loan from West Ham United), Glenn Whelan (Hearts), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McClean (Stoke City), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton Town), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Aidan O’Brien (Millwall), Kieran Sadlier (Doncaster Rovers), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Shane Long (Southampton), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Hogan (Stoke City, on loan from Aston Villa)
Ireland play New Zealand on November 14 with the Denmark game coming four days later.
