Lenihan earns first senior call-up
Dunboyne man Darragh Lenihan is one of five new faces in the 30-man squad selected by Martin O'Neill for the Republic of Ireland's friendly clash with Turkey on Friday 23rd March in Antalya.
Lenihan has just returned from three months out injured, but has instantly regained his place at the heart of the Blackburn Rovers defence as they continue their march towards promotion from league One.
A brother of Meath senior footballer Donal, 23-year-old Darragh has been capped 15 times for the Republic of Ireland u-21s and he is on the verge of becoming the first player from Meath to earn a senior international cap.
Kieran O'Hara, Declan Rice, Enda Stevens and Lenihan's Blackburn Rovers team mate Derrick Williams have all been included in the squad.
O'Hara is in Manchester United's development squad, while Rice has had a quick rise to a first-team member at the Hammers.
Former Shamrock Rovers left-back Stevens receives his first call-up. He is currently with Sheffield United in the Championship after being rejuvenated at Portsmouth under Paul Cook.
Seamus Coleman returns to the squad a year after his leg break against Wales. In-form Preston striker Sean Maguire also returns, while there is no place for Glenn Whelan and John O'Shea in a new-look group.
Shane Long is the only player over the age of 30 in the squad.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Kieran O'Hara (Manchester United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Declan Rice (West Ham United), John Egan (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), David Meyler (Hull City), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Liam Kelly (Reading), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Sean Maguire (Preston North End)