Ireland U-21 team manager Noel King has opted to look at a host of new players as he named his squad for a friendly international against Qatar Olympic squad in Aachen, Germany, this Saturday.
Dagenham & Redbridge defender Jack Connors is included for the first time, while Karlsruher SC goalkeeper Justin Merz is also drafted having trained with the U-21 squad previously.
Cork City midfielder Brian Lenihan is the sole Airtricity League player in the squad.
King hopes a number of players from the new-look squad will come into consideration for the remainder of the UEFA U-21 Championships 2015 qualifying campaign and for the following campaign.
“We’ve named a new-look squad for this particular game and we see it as a great opportunity to look at who is coming up next,” said King.
“It’s basically a different age group and it’s always exciting working with players for the first time. I’ve seen them play with their clubs so pleased to work with them now.”
Ireland U-21 squad: Ian Lawlor (Manchester City), Justin Merz (Karlsruher SC), Luke Gallagher (Burnley), Shane Griffin (Reading), Pierce Sweeney (Reading), Kevin Feely (Charlton Athletic), Mason Watkins-Clark (Stoke City), Bradley Lewis (Aston Villa), Jack Connors (Dagenham & Redbridge), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Kenneth McEvoy (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Drennan (Aston Villa), Will Hayhurst (Preston North End), Bradley Garmston (West Bromiwich Albion), Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers), Kieran Sadlier (West Ham Utd), Jack Byrne (Manchester City), Brian Lenihan (Cork City).
