Could this be the beginning of a new era for Irish football?
It’s time for Ireland to leave their 5-1 defeat to Denmark at the Aviva in the past and focus on the new crop of players coming through the ranks.
It’s the same two men at the helm though, and this is the squad that Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have chosen for the upcoming friendlies against France and the USA.
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle, Conor O’Malley, Shane Supple
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, John Egan, Shane Duffy, Kevin Long, Darragh Lenihan, Declan Rice, John O’Shea, Enda Stevens, Derrick Williams, Greg Cunningham
Midfielders: Callum O’Dowda, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Eunan O’Kane, Alan Browne, Shaun Williams, James McClean, Daryl Horgan
Forwards: Jonathan Walters, Shane Long, Graham Burke
Shane Supple and Conor O’Malley, midfielder Shaun Williams, and forward Graham Burke have all been called up for the first time. Shane Supple and Graham Burke are both playing their football in the League of Ireland, with Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers respectively.
The matches will also be Irish legend John O’Shea’s last in a green jersey.
Unfortunately, injuries will rule out Darren Randolph (groin), Keiren Westwood (groin), Kieran O’Hara (ankle), Ciaran Clark (knee) and SeanIE Maguire (hamstring).
