No place for Matt Doherty as Ireland squad named for Nations League clashes with Finland and Greece

There are also no places for Cardiff City forward Callum Robinson or Sunderland’s Alan Browne, with the quartet all dropped from the national side for the October window.

Luton Town centre-half Mark McGuinness has received his first Ireland senior call-up, while uncapped Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor is in line for his senior debut having earned his first recall since June 2023.

Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz, Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath, Udinese’s Festy Ebosele (on loan at Watford) and West Brom forward Mikey Johnston have also earned recalls having all not been included in September’s initial squad, as Ireland seek a first win of the campaign next week.

After missing his first camp in four years last month with injury, Burnley’s Josh Cullen also returns, as does his fellow midfielder Jayson Molumby who shook off a recent calf issue to return to action for West Brom last Monday.

Up front, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson will look for his first start under Hallgrimsson after Celtic’s Adam Idah was preferred in both defeats last month, while Troy Parrott will also hope to earn his chance having impressed with six goals in eight appearances for new club AZ Alkmaar – the Dubliner wasn’t given any minutes by Hallgrimsson last month.

Chiedozie Ogbene, Kasey McAteer and Sammie Szmodics are all included too.

As reported yesterday, injuries have ruled Séamus Coleman (foot) and Will Smallbone (hamstring) out after the pair both picked up the setbacks while on Ireland duty last month.

The Ireland squad will link up in Dublin following this weekend’s club games before they travel to Helsinki on Tuesday for their latest Nations League clash.

Seeking his first win as Irish boss this month after opening defeats to England and Greece, Hallgrimsson’s Ireland take on Finland next Thursday before travelling to Athens to play Greece the following Sunday.

The Nations League campaign concludes in November at home to Finland and away to England before the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign begins next March.

Hallgrimsson will address the media from FAI HQ later this afternoon.

Ireland squad (v Finland and Greece)

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City)

Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).

UEFA Nations League – Fixtures

October 10: Finland v Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki (7.45pm Irish time)

October 13: Greece v Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens (7.45pm Irish time)