Preston North End's Robbie Brady has been rewarded for his promising early-season form, with Stephen Kenny recalling him to the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in over a year.
Kenny has named a 24-man group for the UEFA Nations League matches against Scotland and Armenia (both live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) over the next two weeks.
Brady - who had a brief spell with Bournemouth after being released by Burnley at the end of the 2020-21 season - returns to the squad for the first time since March 2021 after his impressive form for Preston in the Championship this season.
Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele also comes back into the squad for the first time since recovering from injury, his last appearance for Ireland coming against Luxembourg in November 2021.
There is also a first return to the green since November 2020 for Cardiff City winger Callum O'Dowda, following his own impressive form since moving to the Bluebirds in the summer.
In-form striker Scott Hogan gets the nod fresh from his hat-trick for Birmingham City last night in a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion as well as Rotherham United striker Chiedozie Ogbene, who has scored five goals in 10 games in all competitions this season.
However there is no place for injured Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, with Bristol City's Max O'Leary coming into the squad. Norwich striker Adam Idah and Sheffield United full-back Enda Stevens (both also injured) are out, while Festy Ebosele, Ryan Manning and Cyrus Christie have been excluded after being named in Kenny's squad for four fixtures in June.
Aaron Connolly has not been included by Kenny in the wake of his move to Italy, but the42.ie are reporting he will be included in Jim Crawford's Under-21 squad, which will be named later this afternoon.
Ireland are set to travel to Glasgow for their UEFA Nations League tie at Hampden Park, Saturday, 24 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm. Ireland will then return to Dublin to face Armenia in their final group game at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, 27 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Republic of Ireland Squad - Scotland & Armenia
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Fulham), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Jason Knight (Derby County), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Conor Hourihane (Derby County), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City).
