Five Cork players called up to Ireland squad for clashes with England and Greece

Five Leesiders are included in the Republic of Ireland squad for September’s games against England and Greece in the UEFA Nations League.

The Boys in Green will face the beaten Euro 2024 finalists on Saturday, September 7 at the Aviva Stadium, and they will face Greece on September 10, 7.45pm, in Dublin.

Caoimhín Kelleher, Jake O’Brien, Alan Browne, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Adam Idah have all been called up by Heimir Hallgrímsson.

England will be managed by Lee Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international with ties to Cork as his grandmother comes from Dunmanway.

This is the team’s first competitive fixture since the last days of the Stephen Kenny era in November 2023.

A refreshed squad includes new recruit Kasey McAteer, who plays his club football with Premier League side Leicester City.

It was a summer of change for the Cork contingent in the panel as a number of players found new clubs.

Jake O’Brien moved to Everton, and he made his debut during a victory over Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup at Goodison Park.

Chiedozie Ogbene has returned to the Premier League after signing a deal with Ipswich, following a season with Luton Town in the English top flight.

The winger missed the June international window through injury, and his last appearance in a green jersey was last March.

Alan Browne left Preston North End and joined Sunderland, who are fighting for promotion in the EFL Championship.

Adam Idah also said goodbye, and he moved to Celtic from Norwich City after spending the second half of the 2023-24 on loan at Parkhead.

Cardiff City striker Callum Robinson, who scored in the South Wales derby last weekend against Swansea City, is back in the squad alongside Jayson Molumby, who receives his first call-up since November 2023.

The Republic of Ireland will go into this international window with a strong track record in competitive matches against England.

The Boys in Green famously defeated their near rivals in Euro 88 and the two teams played out a scored draw at the 1990 World Cup.

They also met twice in Euro 1992 qualifying and both games, played in Dublin and London, finished 1-1.

Goalkeepers: 

Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City).

Defenders: 

Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).

Midfielders: 

Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).

Attackers: 

Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).