McGuinness earns first Republic of Ireland call-up
Luton defender Mark McGuinness earned 13 caps for this Republic of Ireland Under-21s but this is his first senior call-up
- Published
Luton Town centre-back Mark McGuinness has received a first call-up to a much-changed Republic of Ireland squad for this month's Uefa Nations League games against Finland and Greece.
McGuinness, 23, was a regular for the Republic's Under-21 team and is named in a 24-man squad that also includes uncapped Ipswich midfielder Jack Taylor.
After coming in for criticism for his displays in the Nations League defeats by England and Greece, Wolves defender Matt Doherty is left out by coach Heimir Hallgrimsson with squad skipper Seamus Coleman also missing because of injury.
Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne and Cardiff striker Callum Robinson are other notable absentees while Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone is ruled out by injury.
Udinese full-back Festy Ebosele, who is on loan at Watford, is included following his late call-up for last month's games as Jake O'Brien drops out of the squad after struggling to get game time at Everton this season.
Burnley's Josh Cullen is included after missing the Nations League openers because of injury while Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz, Aberdeen's Jamie McGrath and West Brom winger Mikey Johnston are recalled.
'Matt was not happy of course'
Coach Hallgrimsson said that the need to look at other options as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers approach convinced him to omit Doherty and O'Brien from his defensive options for the two Nations League games.
The Ireland coach added that he had contacted both to inform them that they would not be required for this month's games.
"This is the only chance to kind of experiment to give players the chance to show what they can do," said the Irish coach, who insisted that Doherty and O'Brien remain part of his future plans.
"Matt was not happy of course. He wants to play every game for Ireland."
Hallgrimsson said that the club form of McGuinness and Taylor had convinced him to select the uncapped duo.
"Mark's aerially dominant and a set-piece threat. He also also got a good range of passing and has been really impressive for Luton.
"Jack Taylor as well is getting bigger and bigger roles at Ipswich. He's a good attacking midfielder, good on the ball and dribbling and running with it."
Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone have not featured for their clubs since playing for the Republic of Ireland last month
Smallbone and Coleman have not played for their clubs since featuring for the Republic of Ireland last month.
Coleman hobbled off with a leg injury in the 2-0 defeat by England.
Smallbone started in both home losses against England and Greece but a hamstring issue has prevented him from playing for Southampton since then.
Taylor, 26, has been in previous Republic squads but the Ipswich midfielder, who made seven appearances for the Irish Under-21 in 2019 and 2020, is yet to earn a full cap.
The Irish will face Finland in Helsinki on 10 October before taking on Greece in Athens three days later.
Hallgrimsson began his Republic of Ireland reign with last month's two defeats and will be seeking significant improvement both in terms of performances and results in the Helsinki and Athens contests.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Mark McGuinness (Luton), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Brom), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).