LAST UPDATE | 29 Aug
LEICESTER WINGER KASEY McAteer has been included in Heimir Halgrímsson’s Republic of Ireland squad to face England and Greece in the Nations League after having his eligibility cleared by Fifa.
The 22-year-old, who has featured in both of Leicester’s Premier League fixtures so far this season, is one of two uncapped players included in Halgrímsson’s first squad. The other is Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who was previously called up in 2022.
Séamus Coleman has been ruled fit and included for the upcoming fixtures as expected, while Evan Ferguson also features among Ireland’s forwards having recently returned from a five-month absence for Brighton.
Gavin Bazunu, Josh Cullen miss out through injury while Mikey Johnston, who has missed action for Celtic recently following a head injury, has also been left out.
None of Shane Duffy, Festy Ebosele, Jamie McGrath, Finn Azaz, Tom Cannon or Michael Obafemi have been included in Halgrimsson’s 23-man squad.
McAteer is the only first-time call-up, his paperwork having finally cleared so that he can represent Ireland, for whom he qualifies under the grandparent rule.
Efforts were first made under Stephen Kenny’s reign to secure the eligibility of McAteer, the English-born winger who has never represented Ireland at underage level.
Ireland host England on Saturday week in their Nations League opener before travelling to Greece three days later.
An old rivalry renewed.
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 29, 2024
Your Ireland squad to face England & Greece 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/XAirbxn34x
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher, Mark Travers, Max O’Leary
Defenders: Séamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Callum O’Dowda, Robbie Brady
Midfielders: Will Smallbone, Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, Alan Browne, Kasey McAteer
Forwards: Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, Callum Robinson, Troy Parrott
Written by Gavan Casey and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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