Republic of Ireland Squad Changes for UEFA Nations League
Séamus Coleman and Nathan Collins are both missing from the Republic of Ireland squad for the opening UEFA Nations League window, leaving a changing of the guard feel to John O’Shea’s first competitive selection.
Collins, the captain, had been a major doubt after limping off in the first half of Brentford's 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 5 September. Brentford manager Keith Andrews later confirmed a calf injury and indicated the centre-back is only expected back after the international break. Coleman, the long-serving right back, is also absent and, like his long-time team-mate Robbie Brady, is currently without a club.
So the door swings open for new faces.
New blood in defence
Liam Kitching, on loan at Sheffield United, has been handed a first senior call-up. The left-sided centre-back was part of the Coventry City side that clinched promotion to the Premier League last season, a campaign that pushed him firmly onto the international radar. Since 1 September, he has dropped back into the Championship with Sheffield United on a season-long loan, but his stock with Ireland has clearly risen.
He is not the only uncapped defender in the squad. Joel Bagan of Cardiff City returns and now looks poised for a debut. The left back, a former Ireland under-21 international, had been named in the May squad for the friendly against Grenada but was forced to pull out through injury. This time, he stays in.
With Coleman out and Collins sidelined, the defensive unit has a different complexion. Kitching’s left-footed balance and Bagan’s ability to cover at full back give O’Shea fresh options in wide and central areas as Ireland brace for a four-game burst that will test depth as much as quality.
Elding steps into the spotlight
Up front, there is another potential debutant. Owen Elding, the Hibernian forward and former Sligo Rovers striker, is in line for his first cap. His inclusion underlines the shift towards players earning their chance through strong club form across Britain rather than established reputations alone.
The new call-ups arrive against a backdrop of significant injury problems. Evan Ferguson (ankle) and Josh Cullen (knee) are ruled out for the longer term. Mikey Johnston and Jack Taylor also miss out with ankle and knee issues respectively. QPR defender Jimmy Dunne, named in the defensive list, recently picked up a muscular injury earlier this month, a concern as the games pile up.
Nations League schedule
Ireland’s campaign begins away to Kosovo at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina next Thursday. Three days later comes Israel on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary, a fixture that already carries weight in a tight group.
Austria then travel to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, in what should be the showpiece home date of the window. Ireland’s ‘home’ game against Israel follows on Sunday, 4 October, but it will be played behind closed doors at Backa Topola in Serbia, stripping away the usual Dublin roar and adding another layer of complexity for a squad already in flux.
Full Republic of Ireland squad
- Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)
- Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), John Egan (Hull City), Liam Kitching (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
- Forwards: Owen Elding (Hibernian), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Jack Moylan (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City), Troy Parrott (Real Betis), Rocco Vata (Watford), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)
A captain sidelined, a stalwart without a club, and a clutch of uncapped players thrown into the mix: Ireland’s Nations League campaign will not ease them in gently. It will reveal, quickly, who is ready to claim this new space.
