Republic of Ireland Interim Head Coach John O'Shea has named a 26-man squad for the international friendly double-header against Belgium and Switzerland and Blackburn goal machine Sammie Szmodics has received a call-upIreland are set to welcome Belgium to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, March 23, with kick-off at 5pm, before Switzerland travels to Dublin for their international friendly on Tuesday, March 26, with kick-off at 7.45 p.m. Tickets for the matches are available as a two-match pack, with prices starting at just €70 for both matches, and you can purchase your ticket now here.
𝗠𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 🇮🇪
John O'Shea names a 26-man squad for 🇧🇪 &🇨🇭
▪️ Szmodics in
▪️ First call-ups for O'Brien & Azaz
▪️ Coleman, Brady, Obafemi & O'Dowda return
Exciting squad for our March double-header 💚
23/03 | 🇮🇪🆚🇧🇪
26/03 | 🇮🇪🆚🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/ftkGCywyiw— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 14, 2024
Szmodics has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season and was called up to a past Ireland camp for the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar. However, he had to withdraw from those games for personal reasons.
The Blackburn hotshot is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland and Hungary through his county, with a Longford Irish-born grandmother and a Hungarian-born grandfather.
Lyon defender Jake O'Brien has also received his first call-up to the Ireland senior squad following his impressive form in Ligue 1 this season, as has Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz, who also comes into the squad for the first time. There are returns to the squad for Michael Obafemi, Robbie Brady, Callum O'Dowda, and captain Seamus Coleman, who returns to the squad for the first time since the 1-0 defeat to France in March after suffering a knee injury that ruled him out of the rest of the 2023 campaign.Republic of Ireland Squad: Belgium & SwitzerlandGoalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), and Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O'Brien (Lyon), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), and Festy Ebosele (Udinese).Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), and Will Smallbone (Southampton). Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), and Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion). Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur). Fixtures: International Friends23/03: Ireland vs. Belgium, Aviva Stadium, 5pm26/03: Ireland vs. Switzerland, Aviva Stadium, 7.45
