Southampton midfielder and former Ferrybank and Waterford FC star Romeo Akachukwu has received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21s squad.
Head Coach Jim Crawford names a 23-man panel for the opening two games of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers.
Ireland begin their campaign away to Moldova in Nisporeni on Thursday, September 4 before returning to Dublin for their first home fixture against Andorra at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, September 9.
Watford duo Rocco Vata and James Abankwah return to the squad after featuring in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s senior international camp earlier this year.
There are also maiden Under-21 selections for Liverpool winger Trent Kone-Doherty, Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan (17), Derby County defender Freddie Turley, and Hull City’s Cathal McCarthy.
Elsewhere, Manchester United defender Jacob Devaney earns a second call-up after impressing during June’s internationals in Croatia, alongside QPR’s Cian Dillon. In-form Mason Melia (St Patrick’s Athletic), who became the youngest player to score for the Under-21s in March, also returns to Crawford’s squad.
Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad
Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Chester FC, on loan from Stockport County).
Defenders: James Abankwah (Watford), Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Sean Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), David Okagbue (Peterborough United), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion), Freddie Turley (Derby County).
Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Darius Lipsiuc (Solihull Moors, on loan from Stoke City), Cathal McCarthy (Hull City), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City).
Forwards: Cian Dillon (Queens Park Rangers), Trent Kone-Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St Patrick’s Athletic), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Reading, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers
Thursday, September 4 | Moldova U21 v Ireland U21, Nisporeni Central, Nisporeni, Moldova, KO 5pm
Tuesday, September 9 | Ireland U21 v Andorra U21, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, KO 7.30pm
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