Mayo man makes Ireland squad for Euro qualifiers

Former Manulla goalkeeper Luke McNicholas has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for upcoming UEFA Under 21 European Championship qualifiers.

Manager Jim Crawford has named a 25-man squad for the two home games against Italy and Sweden in the coming weeks.

McNicholas is now a Sligo Rovers player but is currently on loan to Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership.

Ireland take on Italy at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, November 12, before hosting Sweden four days later on Tuesday, November 16.

Tickets for the qualifiers are now on sale, with admission to both games available for €15 for adults, €8 for children and €30 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). Ticketmaster service charges apply.

Both games will be shown live on RTÉ 2, with the Italy game kicking-off at 5.30 p.m. and the Sweden game at 7 p.m.

The squad in full is: goalkeepers – Brian Maher, David Odumosu, Luke McNicholas; defenders – Joel Bagan, Festy Ebosele, Andy Lyons, Oisin McEntee, Mark McGuinness, Jake O’Brien, Lee O’Connor; midfielders – Conor Coventry, Dawson Devoy, Ryan Johansson, Gavin Kilkenny, Ollie O’Neill, Conor Noss, Will Smallbone, Ross Tierney; forwards – Evan Ferguson, Will Ferry, Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode, Liam Kerrigan, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Colm Whelan, Tyreik Wright.