'A high potential player' - Cork's Jaden Umeh called up to Ireland squad for friendly against Grenada

The Cork native was recently called up to train with Benfica's first team by manager Jose Mourinho.

IRELAND'S CALL-UP: Cork's Jaden Umeh has been called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their friendly against Grenada. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile.

Cork's Jaden Umeh has been called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their friendly against Grenada.

The Mahon native was recently promoted to train with Benfica's first team by manager Jose Mourinho.

Umeh, who played for Ringmahon Rangers and Cork City before moving to Portugal, made his Ireland U21 debut in March just a week after turning 18.

Heimir Hallgrímsson has picked a 21-man squad for the training camp in Spain, which will include the friendly with Grenada in Murcia on Saturday May 16.

In total there are seven first time call-ups with nine included in the panel who have come through the League of Ireland system.

And speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Hallgrímsson described Umeh as a "high potential player".

Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Josh Keeley (Luton Town), Killian Cahill (Leyton Orient).

Defenders: Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Eiran Cashin (Blackburn Rovers - loan), James Abankwah (Watford), Mark McGuinness (Sheffield United), Tayo Adaramola (Sheffield Wednesday - loan), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Andrew Moran (Preston North End).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Swansea City), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United - loan), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Millenic Alli (Portsmouth), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Aidomo Emakhu (Oxford United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).

CORK SPORT

A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.