Dermot Mee and Eoin Kenny earn first Northern Ireland call-ups
Dermot Mee and Eoin Kenny have received their first senior Northern Ireland call-ups, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. Manchester United goalkeeper Mee and Portsmouth forward Kenny are the new additions to Michael O'Neill's squad for the final two matches of the Nations League group stage.
Mee, 23, has represented Northern Ireland at youth level but has not made a competitive appearance for United this season. Kenny, 20, moved from Dundalk to Portsmouth in July and has played once in the Championship. He is the son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.
Dion Charles, Eoin Toal and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell drop out of the squad, according to BBC Sport. Dan Ballard is also absent after a hamstring injury, while Ali McCann and Jamie McDonnell are missing through injury. Liverpool defender Conor Bradley remains unavailable, having not played since January.
The selections come with Northern Ireland unbeaten at the top of League B2. BBC Sport reported that O'Neill's team can secure promotion to League A for the first time. The call-ups give Mee and Kenny an opportunity to join a squad whose group campaign has so far combined two victories with two draws.
The Irish Football Association's published results record a 1-0 victory away to Georgia on September 25, followed by a goalless home draw against Hungary three days later. Northern Ireland then beat Ukraine 3-0 on October 2 before drawing 0-0 with Georgia at Windsor Park on October 5. Across those four fixtures, the team scored four goals and did not concede, collecting eight points from a possible 12.
The association's fixture list confirms that Ukraine will visit Windsor Park on Saturday, November 14, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 GMT. Northern Ireland then travel to face Hungary on Tuesday, November 17, at the Puskas Arena. Those matches complete the six-game group schedule, reversing the venues of the earlier meetings with opponents against whom Northern Ireland have already earned a win and a draw.
Comments
0No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!