Ireland manager hands four new call-ups ahead of double header

May 14, 2025

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson could hand international debuts to four new players after announcing his 24-man squad for their upcoming friendlies.

Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan, Stade De Reims midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn, St Mirren loanee Killian Phillips and keeper Josh Keeley have all earned their first call-ups.

Ireland have a double header of games starting with Senegal on June 6 before taking on Luxembourg four days later.

Veteran Seamus Coleman, Sammy Szmodics, Andrew Omobamidele and Kasey McAteer have all returned to the squad but there’s no place for Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz or Josh Cullen. Hallgrimsson confirmed he was resting the majority of his Championship-based players following a physically demanding season.

Revealing his decision to call up Honohan, the boss said: “One of his biggest attributes is his versatility, he can play on the left and the right so he gives flexibility. That’s one of his biggest advantages.

“We want to see him in our environment which is mainly Premier League players. Normally good players can step up when they are with better players.

“Josh was on standby last time so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he’s in the squad.”

Speaking about the call-ups for John Joe and Phillips, he added: “Killian I have seen on a couple of occasions. I have gone to St Mirren and seen him. He has an abundance of energy.

“He has physicality and height. He’s a little bit different from what we have in terms of size and technique.

“I just wanted to see him and the same goes for John Joe and we wanted to measure him in relation to our other players.”

Finally on keeper Keeley’s call-up, he said: “He is probably next in line. He’s young, he’s progressing really fast, he’s taking huge steps this season, he’s playing in the play-offs and hopefully he can get promoted so he’s playing at the next level this season.

“It gives us the option to give Mark Travers an extended off-season. With Gavin Bazunu injured, there was a spot and we wanted to see a younger goalkeeper.”

Keeley has impressed with Leyton Orient during his loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur. His side are vying for promotion to the Championship and take on Stockport in the second leg of their play-off clash on Wednesday.

John Joe, 21, has also enjoyed an impressive spell in Ligue 1. Born in Madrid, he left Getafe for Reims in January and has featured 15 times in the league for the French side.

Phillips, who is on loan from Crystal Palace, has been a regular for the Scottish side this season and enjoys playing an advanced role in midfield.

Republic of Ireland squad in full

Goalkeepers: Caoimhn Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O’Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End)

Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), John Joe Patrick Finn (Stade De Reims)

Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton)