Meath players in Republic u-21 squad
Meath duo Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers) and Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers - pictured) have been included in the Republic of Ireland U-21 panel by Head Coach Noel King who has announced a provisional 24-man squad for two upcoming UEFA U21 Championship Qualifying Round Group 2 fixtures against Italy and Slovenia.
The game against the Italians will be at the RSC, Waterford, on Thursday, 24th March (6.00pm), then the panel travel to Koper to face Slovenia on Monday 28th March (5.00pm Irish).
Italy are currently top of the group with 13 points from five games but King’s charges were very unlucky not to secure at least a point from their meeting in Vicenza in October when the Italians secured a 1-0 win.
Ireland lost their next fixture (1-3) against Lithuania so King will be looking to his side to get back on form against the Azzurri in Waterford.
The Irish squad (lsited below) will be reduced to 18 players prior to the fixtures.
Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers)
Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers)
Kevin O’Connor (Cork City)
Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Sean Maguire (Cork City)
Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers)
Ian Lawlor (Manchester City – on-loan to Bury)
Danny Rogers (Aberdeen – on-loan to Falkirk)
Brian Lenihan (Hull City)
Tommie Hoban (Watford)
Glen Rea (Brighton)
Jack Connors (Dagenham)
Niall Keown (Reading)
Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Harry Charsley (Everton)
Josh Cullen (West Ham United – on-loan to Bradford)
Jack Byrne (Manchester City – on-loan to Cambuur)
Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers – on-loan to Newport County)
Shamir Goodwin (Crawley Town)
Josh Barrett (Reading)
Shane Griffin (Reading)
Sean Long (Reading)
Kenny McEvoy (York City)