Republic of Ireland Men's Football Team

Image source, Inpho

Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan following Sammie Szmodics' withdrawal.

Honohan was part of the squad for the June friendly against Senegal, but is yet to win a senior cap.

Szmodics was withdrawn after 78 minutes in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Hungary in Dublin when Heimir Hallgrimsson's team recovered from going two goals down after 15 minutes to rescue a late point thanks to Adam Idah's injury-time equaliser.

The Ipswich Town player expressed his disappointment at missing the trip to Armenia with a social media post: "Gutted to be leaving camp early fingers crossed it's nothing too serious. Good luck to the boys in Armenia."

The Republic of Ireland squad departed from Dublin Airport on Sunday as they now focus on taking on an Armenia side that lost their opening qualifier 5-0 to Portugal on Saturday.

Manager Hallgrimsson acknowledges the long journey to Yerevan is not ideal, but victory remains their primary objective against the 105th-ranked team in the world.

"We have to recover quickly because that game in Armenia has more importance than before," he said after Saturday's draw against Hungary.

"Armenia have a day at home and they will have an advantage on us.

"We said that four points (from the opening two games) would be OK - six was our target - so we're disappointed not to have three in the bag."

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland assistant John O'Shea believes Caoimhin Kelleher's move to Brentford "will benefit" Heimir Hallgrimsson's side.

Kelleher's move from Premier League champions Liverpool to the Bees on a five-year deal for an initial £12.5m, which could rise to £18m with add-ons, was confirmed on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old made 67 appearances for the Reds, but O'Shea believes becoming the number one at Brentford will aid his progress on the international stage.

"He has had success and whatever happens next, hopefully he's playing. It's as simple as that," O'Shea said.

"Obviously it's not an easy thing for him to do. He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool.

"I think that's what the whole of Europe and the whole of the world has seen when Caoimhin has been in goal for Liverpool. So, I'm sure we'll get the benefit of it."

O'Shea was speaking ahead of the Republic's friendly against Senegal in Dublin on Friday.

He hopes other Irish players will follow Kelleher in making summer switches to get more game time, if the right move arises.

"Every scenario will be different. Like the manager [Hallgrimsson] has always stressed, we'd love our players to be playing," O'Shea, added.

"That's what you want in a team because obviously time-wise, when we get together, the limited time period we have, the fitter the players are, the better it will help in the game."