TWO PLAYERS EARNED their first call-ups to Ireland’s senior squad this morning.
Brentford defender John Egan and Reading midfielder Liam Kelly were named on a 39-strong list for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Wales and the friendly with Iceland.
While the pair may not make the cut when O’Neill trims down his panel after this weekend’s football, the inclusions are just rewards for their respective performances in the Championship this season.
John Egan
Son of the Kerry football legend of the same name, Cork native Egan joined Sunderland in 2009 but his development was stunted when he suffered a broken leg. After loan spells at Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford City and Southend United, the centre-half left the Black Cats to rebuild his career at Gillingham in 2014.
A former Ireland U21 international, Egan was named the club’s Player of the Year by Gills supporters while also earning a spot on the PFA League One Team of the Year. Those displays brought interest from Championship clubs and he joined Brentford at the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign.
The 24-year-old has shone at the heart of the Bees defence and this term — playing 35 times and scoring 4 goals.
Well... @JohnEgan92's call-up to the @FAIreland is a perfect reason to have a look at his goals so far this season! ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/u2Nvwpwc12
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) March 13, 2017
Liam Kelly
21-year-old attacking midfielder Liam Kelly has been with Reading since the age of eight but he is thriving in his breakout season with the Royals. Having made his senior debut back in August, the stylish number 10 had to wait until November before featuring in the league.
English-born Kelly, who is eligible to play for Ireland through his grandparents, has gone on to feature 28 times for Jaap Stam’s side so far — scoring one goal and notching up four assists.
“Liam is a quality player,” Stam told GetReading.co.uk. “We’ve seen him throughout the whole season. He is a player who has great skills, he’s very comfortable on the ball and can go past players as well.
“His passing, his technique is world-class — I can say that. You could see it against Leeds and again at Blackburn.”
Capped for Ireland at U19 and U21 level, Kelly had a goal and an assist in the win over Bristol City in January:
He also had two assists against Derby County later that month:
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