Republic of Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon today announced his 20-man squad for the International Challenge Trophy fixture against Belgium on 21 October at Dalymount Park.
Having defeated Slovakia (2-0) and Northern Ireland (1-0) in their previous matches, the Irish team need just one point to make sure of their place in the Final, where they will face either Italy or England.
The squad announcement sees first call-ups for Gary Deegan of Bohemians and Jay O'Shea of Galway United.
O'Shea's inclusion caps a fine week for the attacking midfielder, having scored twice in his side’s 3-2 victory over Cork City as well as earning his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad.
Pat Fenlon said: 'We need one point from this game to qualify for the final but we will approach the match as we do any other and go out to win it.
'We have lots of good attacking options in the squad. There are some real quality players in the league and I think we have picked a very impressive squad here.'
Republic of Ireland under-23 squad to play Belgium in the International Challenge Trophy on October 21 at Dalymount Park:
Darren Quigley, Barry Murphy, Seamus Coleman, Gavin Peers, Ger O'Brien, Conor Kenna, Shane Guthrie, Conor Powell, Darren Murphy, Paul Keegan, Killian Brennan, Stephen Rice, Stephen O'Donnell, John Paul Kelly, Ruaidhri Higgins, Gary Deegan, Mark Quigley, Denis Behan, Ger Rowe, Jay O'Shea.
