To regain his place on Irish team would be a brilliant end to turbulent season for McGrath
Jamie McGrath's inclusion in John O'Shea's Irish squad for forthcoming games against Hungary and Portugal could yet turn out to be highpoints in what has been a turbulent season for the Athboy man.
McGrath joined Aberdeen last summer on a two-year contract and had some memorable moments in his early days with the club including scoring a goal against Rangers at Ibrox Park last September in what was his 27th birthday.
As the season unfolded, however, the Dons struggled to find consistency.
They flirted with relegation and the patchy form resulted in manager Barry Robson getting the sick.
He was replaced for a time by the ever colourful Neil Warnock who didn't improve matters.
He departed the club to be replaced by Peter Leven on a temporary basis.
The club eventually moved away from the relegation zone. The Dons also reached the Scottish Cup semi-final where they were unlucky to lose out to Celtic on penalties.
To get a run out against Hungary next Tuesday would help McGrath resurrect his international career ahead of some attractive games in the Nations League to be played including against England in the Autumn.
The Republic face Portugal on Saturday 11th May away. To be selected for that game would be a poignant occasion for McGrath. It was against Portugal he made his competitive debut for Ireland in 2021 in a World Cup qualifier in Faro.
One man not included in John O'Shea's most recent squad is Evan Ferguson who is injured.
It might be no harm for the Bettystown man to have a prolonged rest after a season when he endured a long drought without a goal in the Premier League.
Despite that drought Ferguson received a ringing endorsement from pundits such as Johnny Giles who predicted the young Brighton & Hove Albion player will be back stronger and better than ever.
Over the next few days a number of u-21 players have been called into the Irish squad for training purposes and among them is young Dunboyne goalkeeper Josh Keeley who is on the books at Tottenham Hotspur but has spent time out on loan with Barnet.
After working with the Irish senior panel Keeley will join the Irish u-21 squad for a training camp in Croatia.