Graham Cummins: Home-based call-ups not an insult but I wouldn't get too excited

'INSULT': Were John Caulfield's words are a tactic to keep players grounded, asks Graham Cummins. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

I would never see being called-up to represent your country at any level as an “insult”, which is how Galway United manager John Caulfield described his player Alex Murphy’s inclusion in the Republic of Ireland U21 extended squads. But I do understand John’s point of view.

Manager Jim Crawford named a host of League of Ireland players in his extended panel for the European Championship qualifier against Montenegro on October 12, because Montenegro is on the UK and German red list regarding Covid-19 quarantine restrictions, meaning any UK or German-based Ireland U21 player would have to quarantine before returning to their clubs.