NOEL KING HAS announced an 18-man squad for next month’s 2019 European U21 Championship qualifier away to Azerbaijan.
There are three new faces included in the Ireland manager’s squad for the game in Baku on Tuesday, 5 September.
Having played a key role in Cork City’s dominance of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division throughout 2017, on-loan Burton Albion defender Ryan Delaney has been rewarded with an inaugural call-up.
Declan Rice, who made his first Premier League start for West Ham last weekend, is also included, as is Connor Ronan, who continues to impress for Wolves.
After scoring the only goal in Ireland’s opening qualifier against Kosovo back in March, Olamide Shodipo misses out through injury.
Republic of Ireland U21 squad:
Goalkeepers: Kieran O’Hara (Manchester United), Liam Bossin (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Daniel Kane (Huddersfield Town), Ryan Sweeney (Stoke City — on loan at Bristol Rovers), Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion — on loan at Walsall), Corey Whelan (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Ryan Delaney (Burton Albion — on loan at Cork City)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (West Ham United — on loan at Bolton Wanderers), Harry Charlsey (Everton), Connor Dimaio (Chesterfield), Ryan Manning (QPR), Liam Kinsella (Walsall), Connor Ronan (Wolves)
Forwards: Reece Greco-Cox (QPR), Ronan Curtis (Derry City), Joe Quigley (Bournemouth — on loan at Newport County), Jake Mulraney (Inverness CT)
