Republic of Ireland hand first senior call-ups to four players for friendlies

Crystal Palace midfielder Killian Phillips, Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan, Reims’ John Joe Patrick Finn and Tottenham goalkeeper Josh Keeley have all been handed first senior call-ups for the Republic of Ireland’s June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.

Republic manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had already made it clear he would not bring any Sky Bet Championship players into the group, with the fixtures coming a month after the end of the regular season.

Hallgrimsson has instead opted to hand others a chance, with 23-year-old Phillips, who spent the campaign on loan in Scotland with St Mirren, stepping up from the Under-21s.

Honohan, 24, helped Shamrock Rovers reach the knockout stages of the Conference League for the first time and was reported to have been in contention for the Nations League games against Bulgaria in March.

Born in Spain, midfielder Finn, 21, started his career at Real Madrid before joining Getafe, and has previously represented the Republic at Under-19 level as well as being called up for the Under-21s.

Keeley, 21, has been on loan at Leyton Orient, with the League One side having gone on to make the play-offs.

A home game against Senegal on June 6 will be followed by a trip to Luxembourg on June 10.

Everton defender Jake O’Brien, who has been carrying a knee injury, is included along with captain Seamus Coleman and Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics, who is also working his way back to full fitness.

Centre-back Andrew Omobamidele comes in again, having impressed in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg.

Hallgrimsson knows he may need to make tweaks to the group depending on what happens ahead of the games – and hopes those players from Championship clubs not involved are able to get the needed downtime to come back refreshed in September ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

“Now it is three weeks until the camp. It is pretty unusual to do it, but the reason is that we would like the players to know if they are in and out early so they can prepare for their holiday or the camp in advance,” Hallgrimsson told a press conference.

“Of course there is a disadvantage to announcing the squad early, that three weeks is a long time in football, so a lot of things can change and we take that into account.”

Hallgrimsson added: “This June window has been tough or tricky for Ireland in the past. I would guess the reason is that, after a long season – like the Championship, playing two games every week and a lot of matches in the end of season – players are tired, both physically and mentally.

“After the season they switch off and then just to keep fitness level for a month until two friendlies is tricky and tough, but I think also mentally it’s tough for them.

“So what we want now, most of all, is that these players take a good off season and come flying in pre-season, and in September (for the next internationals) we will benefit from that rest.”

:: Republic of Ireland squad to face Senegal and Luxembourg
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O’Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston)
Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), John Joe Patrick Finn (Reims)
Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (West Ham, on loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich), Kasey McAteer (Leicester), Festy Ebosele (Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton)