Ireland U21 boost squad with McDonnell and Gill debut

Nottingham Forest’s Grady McDonnell and Celtic’s Marcus Gill have been called up to the Ireland U21 squad for the first time, Crawford’s selection. The trio will join senior internationals Adam Brennan and Rory Finneran as the side prepares for UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers against Slovakia, Kazakhstan and England in September and October.

Youth pedigree drives selection

Scotland‑born Gill has already been capped at U19 level, while Canada‑born McDonnell featured in the Ireland U17 side that reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup last year. Their inclusion reflects a blend of international experience and recent tournament exposure.

Form and experience add depth

Senior internationals Adam Brennan and Rory Finneran also make the squad, adding experience to the qualifying campaign. Former Wexford goalkeeper Owen Mason, now with Bromley, returns to the panel, while LOI Premier Division top scorer Tommy Lonergan earns a place for his form.

Goalkeepers include Noah Jauny of Royal Francs Borains, Marcus Gill and Owen Mason of Bromley. Defenders feature Sam Curtis on loan at Cambridge United from Sheffield United, Seán Grehan of Doncaster Rovers, Cathal McCarthy on loan at Kilmarnock from Hull City, Conor McManus of Gillingham, Alex Murphy on loan at 1. FC Kaiserslautern from Newcastle United and David Okagbue of Peterborough United. Midfielders include Romeo Akachukwu of Southampton, Adam Brennan of Shamrock Rovers, Jacob Devaney on loan at Hibernian from Manchester United, Rory Finneran on loan at Notts County from Newcastle United, Darius Lipsiuc of Notts County, Oísin Gallagher on loan at Barnet from Lincoln City and Grady McDonnell of Nottingham Forest. Forwards comprise Leon Ayinde of Doncaster Rovers, Trent Kone‑Doherty of Molde FK, Tommy Lonergan of Waterford, Kian McMahon Brown of Shrewsbury Town on loan from Burnley and Michael Noonan of Shamrock Rovers.

Jim Crawford’s side travel to Koise for the Slovakia fixture on Friday 25 September before returning to Cork for a double‑header at Turners Cross. They face Kazakhstan on Tuesday 29 September and then England on Tuesday 6 October, completing a challenging qualifying block.

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For McDonnell and Gill, the call‑up offers a first taste of senior international football and a chance to showcase their club performances on a bigger stage. Ireland U21 gain fresh talent and depth ahead of a demanding qualifying campaign.