JACK BYRNE IS widely considered to be one of Irish football’s most promising prospects, but it seems the Euros will come too soon for the talented 19-year-old.
Despite Byrne’s fine form at club level and recent suggestions by Martin O’Neill that he was set to “experiment” for upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia, it would appear that the midfielder is not in his plans currently after he was named in Ireland’s U21 squad for the Uefa Championship qualifiers against Italy and Slovenia today.
The Man City midfielder is currently on loan at Cambuur, scoring two goals in 20 Eredivisie appearances so far, but is unlikely to feature in the senior squad announcement on Friday in light of today’s news.
Other notable names to feature in the provisional panel include Blackburn’s Darragh Lenihan, who recently signed a new contract for his club, along with West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen (currently on loan at Bradford), Watford defender Tommie Hoban, Preston midfielder Alan Browne and Man City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor (currently on loan at Bury).
There also five League of Ireland representatives named, including St Pat’s defender Sean Hoare and Shamrock Rovers striker Brandon Miele.
Six players will be cut from the 24-man panel closer to games on 24 and 28 March.
Noel King’s side are currently fourth in their group, behind Italy, Slovenia and Serbia, having picked up three wins and two losses so far.
Provisional Ireland U21 squad: Ian Lawlor (Manchester City – on-loan to Bury) Danny Rogers (Aberdeen – on-loan to Falkirk) Brian Lenihan (Hull City) Tommie Hoban (Watford) Glen Rea (Brighton) Jack Connors (Dagenham) Niall Keown (Reading) Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic) Kevin O’Connor (Cork City) Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers) Alan Browne (Preston North End) Harry Charsley (Everton) Josh Cullen (West Ham United – on-loan to Bradford) Jack Byrne (Manchester City – on-loan to Cambuur) Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United) Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers – on-loan to Newport County) Shamir Goodwin (Crawley Town) Josh Barrett (Reading) Shane Griffin (Reading) Sean Maguire (Cork City) Sean Long (Reading) Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers) Kenny McEvoy (York City).
