Ireland’s manager Heimir Hallgrímsson with Irish fans ahead of the Grenada match(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Heimir Hallgrímsson has opted against making an 11th hour u-turn on including Jack Moylan in his squad for the friendlies against Qatar and Canada.
But he has drafted in four League of Ireland players for the two games – Shamrock Rovers pair Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan, Bohemians midfielder Dawson Devoy and Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann.
Hallgrímsson had decided prior to Saturday’s 5-0 win over Grenada on his 24-man squad for the games – and he stuck with his plan to involve as many players as possible across the two windows.
So neither hat-trick hero Moylan nor Tom Cannon, who scored the other two goals in Murcia, will feature, unless there are withdrawals in their positions.
Hallgrímsson had already made the decision to give Mason Melia his first senior call for the games against Qatar in Dublin on May 28 and Canada in Montreal in the early hours of June 6.
Postponement
His decision to call up three players from Rovers and Bohs could lead to the postponement of their Dalymount Park derby on May 25.
The Boys in Green boss has named four goalkeepers, with Caoimhin Kelleher coming in for the Qatar game before leaving, and Mark Travers then coming in to take his place for the Canada match.
As for the other two goalkeepers McGinty and Brann, they are two of 10 uncapped players to make the squad, after nine uncapped players featured in the training camp in La Finca last week.
Seven of those made their debuts on Saturday against Grenada.
Former St Patrick’s Athletic striker Melia, now with Tottenham, is another player hoping to make his first senior appearance.
Lecce left-back Corrie Ndaba, Newcastle United prospect Alex Murphy, Middlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert, Joe Hodge of Tondella and Benfica winger Jaden Umeh have also yet to be capped.
Withdrawn
Umeh was included in the original squad for the Grenada game, but was withdrawn by his club.
Making up the 10 are the other two League of Ireland inclusions Devoy and Brennan.
Hibernian’s former Sligo Rovers striker Owen Elding has been called in to train with the squad, but he won’t feature in either game as he is still awaiting confirmation of his eligibility to play for Ireland.
The English-born forward, who grew up in Ireland after his dad Anthony moved over to play for Sligo Rovers, should have his papers in time for the Nations League kick-off in September.
There is a recall for Strasbourg defender Andrew Omobamidele.
Looking sharp
Explaining his squad, Hallgrímsson said of Umeh: “We wanted to see him. It was unlucky that they had to play all these games for the (Youth) Champions League, which is a big thing for Benfica.”
As for some of the newcomers, he said: “I’ve seen a lot of Dawson (Devoy). Not so much of Joe Hodge but John (O’Shea), Paddy (McCarthy) and Jim (Crawford) have been speaking a lot about him.
“Alex has been playing in the Championship and I like what I saw from him.”
Melia’s call was flagged last Thursday and Hallgrímsson said: “We wanted to see him and we were thin in that position.
“We knew we’d have Adam (Idah) in this one and give him the next camp off. We will see if everybody shows up.
“He’s 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.”
SQUAD
Goalkeeper: 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).
*Available for Qatar game
**Available for Canada game