Jim Crawford has given first-time call-ups to eight players for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s' friendlies against Croatia and Qatar in Zagreb this week, including midfielder Rory Finneran, who made his senior debut against Grenada just over a fortnight ago.
Dundalk attacker Gbemi Arubi has been rewarded for his excellent SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division form.
Cork City’s 16-year-old striker Cillian Murphy is among those heading to Zagreb having helped the Under-17s reach the World Cup in Qatar with a hat-trick against Slovakia.
There are also first call-ups for Shamrock Rovers pair John O’Sullivan and Naj Razi.
Burnley forward Kian McMahon-Brown gets the call as does Brighton and Hove Albion defender Sean Keogh and Stoke City’s Gabriel Kelly.
Doncaster Rovers’ Sean Grehan and Bohemians’ Harry Vaughan return to the squad having missed out in March.
Finneran, 18, became Blackburn's youngest ever player in January 2024 after making his debut as a 15-year-old in an FA Cup tie, before Newcastle moved to bring him to Tyneside. Heimir Hallgrimsson brought Finneran on for Conor Coventry in the second half of a 5-0 win against Grenada in Spain.
Ireland face Croatia on Saturday before taking on Qatar Under-23s the following Tuesday.
It will be the final preparation for Crawford’s side before the run-in of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier campaign.
Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad
Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne).
Defenders: Sam Curtis (Sheffield United), Oisin Gallagher (Lincoln City), Sean Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Sean Keogh (Brighton and Hove Albion), Conor McManus (Brentford), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), David Okagbue (Peterborough United).
Midfielders: Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gabriel Kelly (Stoke City), Darius Lipsiuc (Stoke City), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers), Cillian Murphy (Cork City), John O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers), Harry Vaughan (Bohemians, on loan from Hull City).
Forwards: Gbemi Arubi (Dundalk), Tommy Lonergan (Waterford), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers).
International Friendly Fixtures (kick-offs are Irish time)
Saturday 6 June: Croatia U21 vs Ireland U21, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, 4.30pm
Tuesday 9 June: Ireland U21 vs Qatar U23, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, 3.45pm
Watch Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
Watch Canada v Republic of Ireland in the early hours of Saturday morning (12.15am) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
