Meath players in Republic of Ireland U-21 panel

Dunboyne man Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers) and Dylan Connolly (Ipswich Town) from Johnstown, Navan are both included in the Republic of Ireland u-21 panel by manager Noel King for the forthcoming UEFA u-21 Championships Group 2 fixtures against Lithuania on Friday 13th November in Vilnius and a friendly against Norway in the RSC, Waterford, on Tuesday 17th November.

The Irish are joint-top of the group with nine points from their opening four games. Italy, Serbia and Slovenia also have nine points each. 

'We are totally focused on Lithuania. We had a very good performance against them in Waterford earlier this month and we are looking for a similar performance and a similar result in Vilnius,' said King.

'This is a hugely important game for us. We want to stay in the hunt for qualification and 12 points from the first 15 available would be a super start. This particular Irish team has a clear focus on what they want, they are together and determined to achieve it.

Ireland lost narrow (0-1) to hosts Italy in the last game and after playing in Vilnius, the panel will travel home to play a friendly game against Norway on 17th November in the RSC, Waterford (7.45pm).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 SQUAD:

Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers)

Dylan Connolly (Ipswich Town)

Daniel Rogers (Aberdeen -on loan at Falkirk)

Eric Grimes (Leeds United)

Sean Long (Reading FC - on-loan at Luton Town)

Jack Connors (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Glen Rea (Brighton - on loan at Southend United)

Alan Browne (Preston North End)

Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)

Josh Cullen (West Ham United)

Conor Wilkinson (Bolton - on loan at Barnsley)

Jack Byrne (Man City - on loan at Cambuur)

Sean Kavanagh (Fulham)

Reece Grego-Cox (QPR FC)

Shane Griffin (Reading FC)

Henry Charsley (Everton FC)

Sean Hoare (St Patrick?s Athletic)

Sean Maguire (Dundalk FC)

Lee Desmond (St Patrick's Athletic)

Kenneth McEvoy (Tottenham - on loan at Stevenage

Sam Byrne (Everton FC)

FIXTURES

Friday 13th November

UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying Round Group 2

Lithuania v Republic of Ireland, LFF Stadionas, Vilnius (4.30pm Irish)

Tuesday 17th November

U21 International Friendly

Republic of Ireland v Norway, RSC, Waterford (7.45pm)