Manager Stephen Kenny has picked Jayson Molumby and Adam Idah in his first Republic of Ireland squad, with Glenn Whelan, Jack Byrne and Sean Maguire among the players to miss out.

Waterford-born Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Molumby and Cork native Adam Idah, the Norwich City striker, both receive their first call-ups to the senior squad in a 23-man group for the Nations League openers against Bulgaria and Finland.

Aaron Connolly and Troy Parrott have also been included having worked under Kenny but Southampton forward Michael Obafemi misses out, which apparently prompted a cryptic tweet from the youngster. 

Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy, Fulham's Harry Arter, Southampton’s Shane Long and Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan all return to the squad for the games in Sofia and Dublin.

David McGoldrick will join the squad for the Finland game, pending the assessment of a long-term foot injury. 
Byrne misses out despite being in-season with Shamrock Rovers, while Maguire has not reached previous heights with Preston North End in recent months.

Defender Ciaran Clark is back in training with Newcastle after missing the end of last season following ankle surgery but has not been selected.

The Irish players will meet up on Sunday ahead of two days' training at the National Training Centre in Abbotstown before flying to the Bulgarian capital on Tuesday afternoon.

Both the UEFA Nations League games will be played behind closed doors.

Ireland squad v Bulgaria and Finland

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (unattached)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders: James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Fulham), Jeff Hendrick (unattached), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan at Millwall), Shane Long (Southampton).

David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) will join the squad for the Finland game.