Darragh Lenihan in for World Cup qualifier

Dunboyne man Darragh Lenihan, who plays for Blackburn Rovers, has been called into the Republic of Ireland panel for the World Cup qualifier in Belgrade on Wednesday.

The Ireland squad reported for duty in Manchester today with the squad scheduled to train tomorrow morning before flying to Belgrade ahead of Wednesday's qualifier against Serbia.

Darragh is a brother of Meath footballer Donal Lenihan and has been called in as one of the replacements for players who have been forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad through injury.

Burnley defender Kevin Long, Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Swansea City midfielder Conor Hourihane and Bristol City winger Callum O'Dowda have all been ruled out.

Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan has been called up and West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry has been promoted from the u-21 squad, his first senior international call-up.

Republic of Ireland squad - Serbia, Luxembourg & Qatar

Goalkeepers:

Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion).

Defenders:

Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders:

Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (Preston North End, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Conor Coventry (West Ham United).

Wingers:

Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McClean (Stoke City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).

Strikers:

Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Shane Long (AFC Bournemouth, on loan from Southampton), James Collins (Luton Town), Troy Parrott (Ipswich Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).

FIXTURES

Wednesday 24th March

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Serbia v Republic of Ireland, Belgrade 19:45

Saturday 27th March

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Republic of Ireland v Luxembourg, Dublin,19:45

Tuesday 30th March

International Friendly: Qatar v Republic of Ireland, Debrecen, Hungary, 19:45

Qatar have been added as the sixth team to Group A to give them match practice ahead of their hosting of the World Cup in 2022. These games will be non-competitive.