Harry Arter, Jack Byrne, James Collins and Aiden O'Brien cut from provisional squad
Monday 20 May 2019 20:10, UK
Mick McCarthy has finalised his squad for the European Qualifiers in June, with 18-year-old midfielder Luca Connell handed his first call-up.
The midfielder, who plays for Bolton, was previously with the U19 side and was part of the U17 squad at last year's European Championships.
He broke into the Bolton side towards the end of the season, and McCarthy says he is not the only person to have been impressed by the Liverpool-born youngster's form.
McCarthy said: "Luca deserves this opportunity. With midfielders Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan and Josh Cullen all on play-off duty with their clubs in the coming weeks, this is the perfect chance to get Luca into the squad.
"He has had a fine season with Bolton, playing 15 times in total, and even with their relegation troubles, he has impressed so many people.
"I know a number of big clubs have sent scouts to watch him so this is a chance to get him in to work with the senior players and see how he gets on."
McCarthy has cut his provisional squad down to 27 players ahead of the games against Denmark on June 7 and Gibraltar on June 10.
Harry Arter, Jack Byrne, James Collins and Aiden O'Brien have been cut from the squad, while goalkeeper Sean McDermott replaces the injured Kieran O'Hara.
McCarthy is taking 23 players for a training camp in Portugal, while Whelan, Hourihane and Cullen, along with Richard Keogh, will all join the squad following the EFL play-off finals.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Mark Travers, Sean McDermott
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, John Egan, Kevin Long, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, Enda Stevens, Greg Cunningham
Midfielders: Alan Judge, Alan Browne, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, Luca Connell, Josh Cullen, Robbie Brady, Callum O'Dowda, James McClean, Ronan Curtis
Forwards: David McGoldrick, Shane Long, Sean Maguire, Scott Hogan, Callum Robinson
