Four uncapped players in Republic of Ireland squad

Josh Keeley, John Joe Patrick Finn, Killian Phillips and Josh HonohanImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Josh Keeley, John Joe Patrick Finn, Killian Phillips and Josh Honohan have all been included in the Republic of Ireland squad

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Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has called up four uncapped players for next month's friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.

Reims midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn, Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley, on-loan St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips and Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan have all been included in the 24-man squad.

Captain Seamus Coleman returns to the squad having missed the team's past seven matches, while Leicester winger Kasey McAteer, Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics and Strasbourg's Andrew Omobamidele are also included.

Istanbul Basaksehir winger Festy Ebosele has also been recalled having missed the Nations League play-off win over Bulgaria in March.

The Football Association of Ireland's squad bulletin confirmed Hallgrimsson has left out the majority of his squad's Championship-based players "to aid rest and recovery in their off-season".

An exception to this is Preston's Robbie Brady, who will join the squad given Hallgrimsson's lack of left-back options.

The Republic of Ireland welcome Senegal to Dublin's Aviva Stadium on 6 June before an away game against Luxembourg four days later (both 19:45 BST).

Hallgrimsson's side then begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in September with games against Hungary and Armenia.

Who are the new call-ups?

Josh Honohan takes on Joshua Acheampong of ChelseaImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Josh Honohan faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during Shamrock Rovers' Uefa Conference League campaign

John Joe Patrick Finn is a 21-year-old midfielder. Born in Madrid, he has a Galway father and grandparents from Mayo. Having spent time in the Real Madrid academy, he joined the Getafe academy in 2018 and made his La Liga debut aged 17 in December 2020.

In October 2021, he made his debut for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s in a 2-2 draw with Sweden.

In January 2025, the 6ft 4ins midfielder joined French side Reims and made his debut against Paris St-Germain. He has made 12 Ligue 1 appearances.

Josh Keeley, another 21-year-old, started his professional career with St Patrick's Athletic in Dublin before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2022.

After a loan spell at Barnet, he joined Leyton Orient on loan at the start of the 2024-25 season and has been impressive, helping the club earn a spot in the League One play-offs.

In November, Keeley made headlines when he scored a dramatic late equaliser against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup second round. A regular with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s over the past couple of years, he is now poised to make his senior international debut.

"He's young, has been progressing really fast this season," said Hallgrimsson.

"He's taken huge steps and is playing in the play-offs, hopefully they get promoted so he can get to the next level.

"Our goalkeeper coach has been analysing and it gives us an option for Gav [Gavin Bazunu] to have a holiday."

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Leyton Orient goalkeeper Keeley scores last-minute equaliser

San Diego-born attacking midfielder Killian Phillips is another established underage international ready for senior football.

The 23-year-old, who grew up in Dublin, joined Crystal Palace from Drogheda United in 2022. While he has only managed one senior appearance for the Eagles, he has started 33 Scottish Premiership games for St Mirren this term.

"I have seen him on a couple of occasions," said Hallgrimsson.

"He has an abundance of energy, physicality and height but I love his energy and he can be key. He's a little bit different in size and physique so we wanted to see him in this environment. A different kind of midfielder."

Josh Honohan is the only current League of Ireland player in the squad. The 24-year-old defender left his hometown club Cork City for Shamrock Rovers last year and was key in helping the Dublin club reach the knockout rounds of the Conference League.

"One of his biggest attributes is that he's a versatile player," said Hallgrimsson.

"He has played left-back, left wing, right-back, right wing. He gives us flexibility for in-game changes.

"We want to see him in our environment with mostly Premier League players so we can evaluate him. That will be exciting."

Republic of Ireland squad

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)