Kerr names 31-man squad

Brian Kerr today announced a 31-man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming four game series - and included young Celtic star Aidan McGeady among four new caps.

Ireland will face Romania at Lansdowne Road on Thursday, May 27 before travelling to London for the Unity Cup where they face Nigeria on May 29 and Jamaica on June 2.

The summer programme will be completed by taking on Holland in Amsterdam on June 5.

Included in the squad are four uncapped players; Clive Clarke of Stoke, Martin Rowlands of QPR, Celtic’s Aidan McGeady and Michael Doyle of Coventry.

Doyle is the only member of the quartet to have been previously included in a senior squad.

He was called up for last month’s 0-0 draw with Poland. However, all four have won caps at underage level.

Meanwhile, Paddy Kenny, Steve Finnan, Gary Breen, Matt Holland, Roy Keane, Rory Delap, Stephen McPhail, Jason McAteer, Robbie Keane and David Connolly all return the squad having been forced to miss the game in Poland.

Republic of Ireland squad for summer friendlies against Romania, Nigeria, Jamaica and Holland: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Kenny (Sheffield United), Maybury (Hearts), Finnan (Liverpool), Cunningham (Birmingham), O’Brien (Newcastle), Doherty (Tottenham), Breen (Sunderland), Clarke (Stoke), Holland (Charlton), Douglas (Blackburn), O’Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), A Reid (Nottingham Forest), Rowlands (QPR), Kennedy (Wolves), Doyle (Coventry City), S Reid (Blackburn), Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Delap (Southampton), McPhail (Leeds), Kinsella (West Brom), McAteer (Sunderland), Barrett (Coventry), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), McGeady (Celtic), Lee (Cardiff), Connolly (West Ham), Morrison (Birmingham).