Givens calls on senior pair

Republic of Ireland Under-21s coach Don Givens has drafted senior squad members Stephen Quinn and Darron Gibson into his party for the friendly against Holland on Tuesday, March 27.

The Sheffield United and Manchester United players were involved in Steve Staunton’s senior set-up for the Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino but could now earn their first caps at under-21 level.

Celtic defender Darren O’Dea is included, as are four players from the eircom league – John-Paul Kelly and Conor Powell of Bohemians, goalkeeper Darren Quigley from University College Dublin and Paul Keegan of Drogheda.

The friendly is an opportunity for Givens to look at his options before the 2009 UEFA Championship qualifying campaign gets under way in September.

“We know we have a tough campaign ahead of us in the qualifiers, so the game against the Netherlands will serve as a good build-up towards the competitive fixtures later in the year,” Givens told www.fai.ie.

“The Dutch are hosting the Under-21 European Championship finals in the summer and are certain to provide us with a good test.”

Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for the international friendly against Holland Under-21s in Venlo on Tuesday March 27:

Quigley (University College Dublin), Randolph (Charlton); Kane (Cercle Bruges), O’Cearuill (Arsenal), Keogh (Bristol City), O’Dea (Celtic), O’Halloran (Aston Villa), Powell (Bohemians); Kelly (Bohemians), Gibson (Manchester United), Keegan (Drogheda), Quinn (Sheffield United), Collins (Huddersfield), Morris (Scunthorpe); Rooney (Stoke), Clarke (Ipswich), O’Brien (Dunfermline).