Jaden Umeh among four new names in Ireland U21 squad

Jim Crawford has handed first time call-ups to four players ahead of two crucial Euro qualifiers against Moldova and Kazakhstan.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026 - 13:53

Cian Locke

Ireland Under-21 head coach Jim Crawford has handed first time call-ups to four players ahead of two crucial Euro qualifiers against Moldova and Kazakhstan.

Benfica’s Jaden Umeh, Shamrock Rovers’ Adam Brennan, Malaga’s Aaron Ochoa-Moloney and Reading’s Sean Patton are named in an Under-21s squad for the first time.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Gabriel Otegbayo, Chesterfield’s Sam Curtis, Ipswich Town’s Leon Ayinde and Shamrock Rovers’ Cory O’Sullivan all return to the squad.

Crawford will be without his captain James Abankwah who has become the latest player to make the step-up to the senior squad from the Under-21s following strong performances for Watford.

Ireland return to Dublin for the first time since September 2025 when they take on Moldova on Thursday, March 26 at Tallaght Stadium.

Tickets for the Group D UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier are available from Ticketmaster.

The squad then head to Kazakhstan for their second game of the international window on Tuesday, March 31.

Ireland Men’s Under-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Reims), Aaron Maguire (Hampton & Richmond Borough, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne).

Defenders: Sam Curtis (Chesterfield), Cathal McCarthy (Hull City), Conor McManus (Brentford), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), David Okagbue (Peterborough United), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday).

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Colchester United, on loan from Southampton), Jacob Devaney (St Mirren, on loan from Manchester United), Darius Lipsiuc (Solihull Moors, on loan from Stoke City), Jack Moorhouse (Manchester United), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers), Aaron Ochoa Moloney (Malaga).

Forwards: Leon Ayinde (Ipswich Town), Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers), Trent Kone Doherty (Molde), Tommy Lonergan (Waterford), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Sean Patton (Reading), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers - Group D

Thursday, March 26: Ireland v Moldova, Tallaght Stadium, 5.15pm (Live on Virgin Media)

Tuesday, March 31: Kazakhstan v Ireland, Turkestan Arena, 3pm