Soccer

New faces drafted into squad as Kenny lifts Republic for Nations League double-header

Sean Maguire has been included in the Republic squad for the games against Wales and Finland
Sean Maguire has been included in the Republic squad for the games against Wales and Finland Sean Maguire has been included in the Republic squad for the games against Wales and Finland

SEAN Maguire and Daryl Horgan have been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the National League fixtures against Wales and Finland.

The Preston striker and the Wycombe winger replace Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah, who were withdrawn from Thursday night's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Slovakia minutes before kick-off after being deemed to have been in close contact with a member of the backroom staff who had tested positive for coronavirus.

A Football Association of Ireland statement said: "Preston North End striker Sean Maguire and Wycombe Wanderers winger Daryl Horgan have been called into the Republic of Ireland squad.

"Both players will link up with the squad later today ahead of the Uefa Nations League matches against Wales and Finland, replacing Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah."

It is understood 20-year-old Brighton striker Connolly was due to start in Bratislava, but was replaced by James McClean after an appeal to allow he and Idah to play was rejected because they had been sitting within two metres of the infected staff member on the flight to Slovakia.

Ireland lost 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 at the Narodny Stadium, in the process missing out on a final showdown with neighbours Northern Ireland and the chance to play in a third successive Euros tournament with Dublin one of the host cities.

Stephen Kenny's men face Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday before heading for Helsinki to meet the Finns on Wednesday evening.

The Ireland squad travelled back from Bratislava overnight and trained at the FAI National Training Centre today ahead of the Wales game.

There were sore bodies to go with the immense disappointment of falling short in Bratislava on Thursday night. Alan Browne and Matt Doherty missed their penalties in the shoot-out meaning that the Slovaks progressed to the final against Northern Ireland (penalty shootout winners against Bosnia) in the play-off final.

Celtic's Derry-born centre-half Shane Duffy was an immense presence at the back for Ireland. After Conor Hourihane and Browne had missed golden opportunities to put Stephen Kenny's men ahead he saved the Republic in the second-half when he cleared a shot from Lukas Haraslin.

"It's hard to put it into words. It's never nice to lose on penalties. It's a tough one to take at the minute," he said.

"We created plenty of chances, the ball just didn't drop for us. It was one of those games that went the whole way. both teams cancelled each other out in the end. It's heartbreaking and disappointing."

Manager Kenny has yet to record his first win and, although there were some positive signs on Thursday night, he needs a result against Wales to lift spirits in the camp after three disappointing results since he took over from Mick McCarthy.

"I think they really showed great qualities as men and as Irishmen," said former Dundalk and Derry City manager Kenny after the loss in Bratislava.

"They showed themselves to be a real team, there was a tremendous team ethic and everyone did as much as they could tonight.

"As the game progressed I felt we were in the ascendancy and we looked like we really wanted to win it. We had some good chances we just couldn't score that goal we needed."

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).

Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Kevin Long (Burnley), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Fulham).

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht).

Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Shane Long (Southampton)