LAST UPDATE | 7 Sep 2023
SHANE DUFFY RETURNS to the Irish starting team for the first time in 15 months for tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier against France in Paris.
Enda Stevens has also been brought in for the first time since June 2022, as Alan Browne has been drafted in to play at right wing-back and track Kylian Mbappe.
John Egan is fit to start with Duffy and Nathan Collins in the back three, in front of Gavin Bazunu. Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, and Jason Knight make up the midfield trio, while Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah lead the line.
Aaron Connolly, Will Smallbone and James McClean are among the substitutes.
Andrew Omobamidele missed out on the matchday squad. The Leixlip native was drafted in as a late call-up this week as defensive cover and Stephen Kenny revealed at yesterday’s press conference in Paris that Omobamidele had linked up the the squad late as he stayed behind on Tuesday following a family bereavement.
𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗫𝗜 | France v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 7, 2023
Ogbene, Duffy, Stevens, Browne & Knight all come into the starting line-up for tonight's @EURO2024 qualifier at the Parc des Princes 💪
Kick-off at 7.45pm (8.45pm local) with 1700+ Ireland fans in the stadium 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/wRSK06va9f
Meanwhile, France’s matchwinner from Dublin, Benjamin Pavard, has been left out in favour of Jules Kounde of Barcelona. Luas Hernandez returns from long-term injury alongside Dayot Upamecano at centre-back, with Theo Hernandez at left-back. Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmnan are the midfield three, with Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele either side of striker Olivier Giroud.
Kick off at the Parc des Princes is at 7.45pm Irish time.
