Ex-Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny’s son Eoin has received a surprising call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the upcoming Nations League games.

Eoin, 20, is a forward currently playing for Portsmouth in the Championship after making the move to England over the summer from Dundalk in a deal worth €40,000.

Having been born in Derry during his father’s time in charge at Derry City, Eoin Kenny qualifies for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and has represented both at underage level.

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Eoin Kenny playing for Northern Ireland U18s in 2022. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

He first played internationally for Northern Ireland, playing twice for their U18 team in 2022 before switching to the Republic of Ireland in 2023, earning another two caps there.

He made a more definitive decision to represent Northern Ireland last year, having been called up to their U21 side, and he has become a regular for the Green and White Army since then. He played 11 times for the U21s, scoring once, before getting selected for his first senior squad for this upcoming international window.

Manager Michael O’Neill has also handed out a first call-up for Man United goalkeeper Dermot Mee as Northern Ireland are still the only side not to concede in the Nations League so far this term.

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Eoin Kenny. Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter

O’Neill remains without Liverpool’s Conor Bradley and Preston midfielder Ali McCann, while Dan Ballard is among five players to drop out of what was a 28-man squad for the previous window, having suffered a hamstring injury in the opening win over Georgia.

Also out are the injured Eoin Toal and Jamie McDonnell, while Dion Charles and former number one Bailey Peacock-Farrell drop to the stand-by list to make way for Mee and Kenny.

Northern Ireland sit one point clear of second-placed Hungary and four ahead of third-placed Ukraine, who visit Windsor Park on November 14 before Northern Ireland face Hungary at the 67,000-capacity Puskas Arena on November 17.