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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Gavin Quinn

Ireland squad announcement: Stephen Kenny names side for Belgium and Lithuania friendlies

Stephen Kenny has named his Republic of Ireland squad ahead of friendlies with Belgium and Lithuania this month.

There are first-ever call-ups for Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes as well as Connor Ronan in a 25-man squad.

West Brom centre-half Dara O'Shea is back in the squad after suffering a fractured ankle against Portugal in September, while Darragh Lenihan also returns after an impressive run with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan could also make his first Boys in Green appearance since a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in 2019.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridy, he described his pride after it was recently announced that he's staying put until the end of the Euro 2024 campaign.

He said: "I'm very proud to be Irish manager, and very privileged.

"It's great that myself and Keith Andrews and all the rest of the staff get an opportunity to carry on the work we've been doing since we were with the U21s. We're delighted to get the opportunity."

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny extends his contract (©INPHO/Evan Treacy)

And Kenny also spoke about the many new faces in the squad, hailing the new recruits as extremely talented and explaining that the blooding of young players had to happen.

He said: "It was necessary. The late Marian Finnucane interviewed me on the radio and said 'Stephen, you see with the Irish rugby team, all the young players coming through the different systems. Where are the Irish footballers? There aren't any.'

"She asked me that question and I said 'you're absolutely right Marian' and it's a question that's not asked enough.

"We've got a great group coming through, the most talented group in many years. We've put 15 players in in the last year and certainly there is more on the way.

"15 in one year is a radical shift and we've only had one defeat in the last 10 games with Ronaldo's late goal of course. We're getting better, we're improving and we've 20 goals scored in that period."

Republic of Ireland Squad - Belgium & Lithuania

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Mark Sykes (Oxford United).

Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St. Mirren, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).ie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St. Mirren, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).

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