Six new faces in Ireland Under-21 squad ahead of Euro qualifiers

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford has given half a dozen players their first call-ups ahead of their opening European Championship 2025 qualifiers against Turkey and San Marino in Cork.

Among the six players is Blackburn Rovers' Zak Gilsenan, who scored a free-kick in the club’s 8-0 Carabao Cup victory over Harrogate on Wednesday.

Tyler Goodhram (Oxford United), Adam Murphy (St Patrick’s Athletic), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Tony Springett (Norwich City) and Owen Mason (Wexford) are the others to receive their first call-ups to Crawford’s squad as they prepare for their opening games.

Celtic’s Rocco Vata, who has been linked with a move away from Parkhead, and Matt Healy of Royal Francs Borains return to the 24-man squad.

Crawford will be without captain Joe Hodge, who has been ruled out after suffering an injury during Wolves’ Carabao Cup tie against Blackpool earlier this week, while Cork City’s Tiernan Brooks also misses out due to injury.

Ireland take on Turkey on Friday, 8 September (7.30pm) at Turner’s Cross, and return to the same venue the following Tuesday, 12 September, for the visit of San Marino.

Ireland go into the games in good form, having beaten Iceland 2-1 at home in March. The Boys in Green followed that up with a 2-2 draw against eventual U-21 Euro semi-finalists Ukraine before beating Kuwait 3-0 to end their June international window.

The squad is set to meet up on Sunday where they’ll be joined by new assistant coach Paul McShane who was appointed to the role on Monday.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Mason (Wexford, on loan from Mansfield Town)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Sam Curtis