Jim Crawford has named his 20-man Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for the International Friendly against Iceland on Sunday, March 26.
It is the first look at a new generation of Under-21 internationals, with the Under-21s Head Coach naming 13 previously uncapped players in his squad.
CONFIRMED | Ireland U21 squad for International Friendly with Iceland in Cork ☘️
A first Ireland call-up for @Official_NCFC Tiernan Brooks 👏
🇮🇪 v 🇮🇸
📍| Turner’s Cross, Cork
📆 | Sunday, March 26
⌚️| KO 4pm🗞️🎟️ 👉 https://t.co/A888Yhy5o9#IRLU21 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/Gz00ApeNrK
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 15, 2023
Wolverhampton Wanderers exciting midfielder Joe Hodge is in the squad. As is Tom Cannon, who is currently at Preston on loan from Premier League side Everton.
There is a first call-up for Notts County goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks. Cork City pair Matt Healy and Jimmy Corcoran are also included.
Bohemians’ Head of Academy Trevor Croly, will join the U21s technical coaching staff for this international window. He will help the team prepare for their opening game of 2023.
The fixture against Iceland will be played in Turner’s Cross, Co Cork. It will be the first Ireland Under-21s game in the County for 14 years.
More than 4,500 fans have already secured their seat, with tickets priced at €5 for children, €10 for adults and €20 for a family ticket (two adults, two children).
Speaking about his squad, Crawford said: "This promises to be an exciting occasion. A new look team, in our first international of the year in what we hope will be in front of a big crowd in Turner’s Cross.
"It’s a great opportunity for these players to go out and show what they’re capable of against a very good Iceland side. It’s been six months since we were last together and I’m looking forward to meeting up with the players and staff again.
"We want to bring our fans on a journey and that starts against Iceland and I’ve no doubt the Cork public will get behind us all the way."
The Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad
Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Notts County), Jimmy Corcoran (Cork City), Josh Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), James Furlong (Motherwell, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (NAC Breda, on loan from Wolfsburg), Connor O’Riordan (Crewe Alexandra), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)
Midfielders: Cian Hayes (Fleetwood Town), Matt Healy (Cork City, on loan from Ipswich Town), Joe Hodge (Wolves), Bosun Lawal (Celtic), Killian Phillips (Shrewsbury Town, on loan from Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Tom Cannon (Preston North End, on loan from Everton), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ollie O’Neill (Derry City, on loan from Fulham), Armstrong Okoflex (West Ham United)
International Friendly Fixture
Sunday, March 26 | Ireland U21 v Iceland U21, Turner’s Cross, Cork, KO 4 pm (live on LOITV)
