Sammie Szmodics and Ryan Manning have been handed starting berths in the Ireland XI to face Hungary in tonight's World Cup qualifying clash at Aviva Stadium.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has a fully fit squad to choose from and has named a more-or-less predictable side to start the sold-out encounter, however, he has opted to leave Chiedozie Ogbene and Kasey McAteer on the bench.
With so many players to choose from the manager explained the squad decision was more difficult this time around.
"Players are coming from playing well with their teams so they are on a high and also in training with players that impressed us. It's always difficult but it was particularly difficult this game, but that's a good headache," Hallgrimsson told RTÉ Sport.
Heimir Hallgrimsson says 'players coming from playing well with their teams' made squad choice difficult for his side's World Cup qualifying clash with Hungary.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 6, 2025
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Manning and Szmodics will play advanced roles, alongside Evan Ferguson, who will lead the line, and Finn Azaz who will be tasked to link midfield and attack.
Nathan Collins will captain the side and looks set to marshal the centre of defence alongside Jake O'Brien, with Dara O'Shea and Matt Doherty taking up the full back roles on the left and right respectively.
Alternatively, O'Brien could sit in at right back, where he plays at Everton, and Doherty could be asked to play on the left, where he has previously played.
Hallgrimsson explained Doherty may be key in allowing changes to be made without substitutions due to his versatility.
"We have used him playing left and he has done it often before and it's also just to keep consistency in what we are doing in build up, so we are going to start it like this... We have versatile players so we can change without making a change, we can change system and formation."
Josh Cullen and Jason Knight will sit in midfield, in the much discussed 6 role when Ireland are out of possession and looking to thwart the expected strong Hungary attacking play. Caoimhín Kelleher, as expected, plays in goal.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Matt Doherty, Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins (capt), Jake O'Brien; Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Finn Azaz; Sammie Szmodics, Ryan Manning, Evan Ferguson
Hungary: Dénes Dibusz; Attila Szalai, Willi Orbán, Loïc Négo, Milos Kerkez, Callum Styles, Bendegúz Bolla, Roland Sallai, Alex Tóth, Dominik Szoboszlai (capt), Barnabás Varga
Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
