NATHAN COLLINS HAS been named in the Republic of Ireland’s 25-man squad for their trio of upcoming World Cup qualifiers – but there is no place for experienced goalkeeper Darren Randolph or Celtic midfielder James MccCarthy.
Robbie Brady, currently without a club following his release by Burnley at the end of last season, has also been omitted.
There is joy for Collins, though, who joined Brady’s old club from Stoke City this June, as he earns his first senior call-up.
25-man squad named for FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers 👌@BurnleyOfficial defender Nathan Collins receives his first senior call-up as Aaron Connolly and Jeff Hendrick return to the squad 🙌
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) August 26, 2021
01/09 | 🇵🇹🆚🇮🇪
04/09 | 🇮🇪🆚🇦🇿
07/09 | 🇮🇪🆚🇷🇸#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/sSFU5wHMGy
Manager Stephen Kenny has also recalled Brighton striker Aaron Connolly and Newcastle midfielder Jeff Hendrick after they missed the summer training camp.
Enda Stevens, Callum O’Dowda, Jason Knight and Chiedozie Ogbene have all been ruled out through injury whilst West Bromwich Albion striker Callum Robinson tested positive for COVID-19 this week, and is currently in isolation.
Ireland face Portugal in Faro on 1 September before Azerbaijan and Serbia come to Dublin for back-to-back home clashes on the 4 and 7 September respectively.
Manager Kenny will be speaking to the media shorly.
More details to follow…
Arter and Molumby ahead of Kilkenny is baffling
@Miguel Sanchez: how can he leave out kilkenny. At least he plays 1 team football
@vincent: has to be injured or something because it doesn’t make any sense
@Miguel Sanchez: players playing regularly or showing any good form have no place in our starting 11.
Jeff Hendrick must have something on Kenny to keep getting called in.
Looking at the squad,we should dominate in midfield
Bazunu.. Coleman Duffy Egan O’Shea.. Cullen Hourihane Molumby.. Connolly Parrott Horgan (4-3-3) that’s the best line up I could come up with
@Aidan: looks about right.
My old man can pass a ball better than Hendricks and he’s dead since 95.
Think we could be in a dogfight with a few former dictatorships for the worst crop of national team players
Spurs/Everton the best club there?
@Sam Murray: *in Europe that is, we’d wipe the floor with Fiji
@Sam Murray: and Samoa we’d beat those lads 2-0 I’d say
Il never give out about selecting but jesus SK we haven’t a player midfield to see that final pass and go forward with it?
Is there a team there even?
4231?
Bazunu
Coleman Duffy Egan Manning
O shea Cullen
Doherty Connolly Hourihane
Parrot
Slim pickings Reuben Dias wont be losing sleep I’m afraid.