League of Ireland quartet in squad for Qatar and Canada

Bohs' Dawson Devoy is challenged by Ronan Teahan of Dundalk. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Four League of Ireland players, along with teenagers Jaden Uemh and Mason Melia, have been named in Ireland’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada.

Only three players from the squad that hammered Grenada 5-0 on Saturday – Chiedozie Ogbene, Jayson Molumby and James Abankwah – are retained for this 24-man panel.

Heimir Hallgrímsson opted to excuse some squad regulars, such as Dara O’Shea and Adam Idah, to make way for a raft of newcomers.

Among the 10 uncapped faces are four domestically-based representatives – goalkeepers Conor Brann (Cork City) and Ed McGinty (Shamrock Rovers), along with midfielder Dawson Devoy (Bohemians) and winger Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers). A fifth LOI player, Cork-born Matt Healy of Shamrock Rovers, could yet join them if promoted from the standby list.

Umeh, 18, was prevented from linking up with the squad in Spain last week owing to Benfica requiring his presence for Sunday’s U19 game that ultimately sealed their qualification for next season’s Uefa Youth Champions League.

Left-back is an area that manager intends strengthening, explaining the first calls-up for Italy based Corrie Ndaba (Lecce) and Galway native Alex Murphy (Newcastle United).

Ireland host Qatar at Lansdowne Stadium on Thursday week, May 28, before travelling to Montreal for the send-off game of World Cup co-hosts Canada.

Caoimhín Kelleher will start against Qatar before departing the squad, enabling Mark Travers to replace him in the panel with the intention of deputising for the second part of the double-header.

Hallgrímsson explained how he decided upon his selection in advance of Saturday’s stroll in the Spanish sun. Tom Cannon and hat-trick debutant Jack Moylan have pushed their claims for inclusion when the Uefa Nations League campaign begins with a four-game window on September 24.

“We wanted to see Jaden,” the manager said about his second attempt to fast-track Corkman Umeh.

“It was unlucky that they had to play all these games for the Champions League which is a big thing for Benfica.

“We couldn’t call him and there was a spot available in his position after Johnny Kenny got injured.” On his midfield options, which now include Portugal-based Joe Hodge and Alan Browne’s Middlesbrough teammate Alex Gilbert, he said: “ I’ve seen a lot of Dawson.

"Not so much of Joe Hodge but our staff John O’Shea, Paddy McCarthy and U21 manager Jim Crawford have been speaking a lot about him.

“Alex has been playing in the Championship and I like what I saw from him.

“Mason Melia has been playing regularly for Tottenham’s Under-21s. Jim has watched him more than us and says he is looking sharp. We’re looking forward to seeing him.” 

IRELAND SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Ed McGinty (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Brann (Cork City), Mark Travers (Everton).

Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg), Corrie Ndaba (Lecce), James Abankwah (Watford), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Ryan Manning (Southampton).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Joe Hodge (Tondela), Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians).

Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Jaden Umeh (Benfica), Mason Melia (Tottenham Hotspur), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers).