Lenihan in line to win second senior cap
Dunboyne's Darragh Lenihan is in line to win his second senior international cap as has he has been retained in Martin O'Neill's squad for Nations League games against Denmark this Saturday, 7.45 and Wales on Tuesday, 7.45. Both games are at the Aviva Stadium.
The Blackburn Rovers defender was named in O'Neill's provisional squad of 32. Yesterday the Irish manager announced that he was cutting six players from the squad but Lenihan has survived. The six players to be left out are Greg Cunningham, Alan Judge, Daryl Horgan, Richie Towell, Graham Burke and Ronan Curtis.
Lenihan was one of those who was left out for recent games against Wales and Poland away but no doubt he will be delighted to get back into the frame - and a chance to add to his colllection of caps.
Last June Lenihan made history when he became the first player from Meath to be capped at senior international level when he came on as a 33rd minutes substitute in the 2-1 win over the USA at the Aviva Stadium. Lenihan admitted that he was at fault for USA's goal but he hit back and went close to scoring himself as Ireland responded to win the end of season friendly.
This is a big weekend for the Lenihan clan as Darragh's brother Donal will be lining for Dunboyne in the SFC final against Summerhill. If Darragh plays for Ireland on Saturday and Donal is part of Keegan Cup-winning combination it will make for a memorable weekend for the Dunboyne duo.
During the summer Darragh signed a new contract with Blackburn Rovers that will keep him at the Championship club until 2022. Lenihan is a regular at the heart of the Blackburn defence this season and has clearly impressed the Irish manager.
Republic of Ireland squad for games against Denmark and Wales.
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Harry Arter (Cardiff City*), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa)
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK)
Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Harry Arter (Cardiff City*), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa)