Eight home-based players in Stephen Kenny's first Irish under-21 squad as Idah, Bazunu and Parrott also make the cut

Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Gavin Bazunu have all received first Ireland under-21 call-ups as Stephen Kenny included eight League of Ireland players in his squad to face Luxembourg.

Kenny’s side will kick off their European Championships qualifying campaign in Tallaght against Luxembourg on Sunday, March 24th.

He’ll do so with several players familiar with Shamrock Rovers’ home, including current and former Hoops in Trevor Clarke as well as Manchester City’s Bazunu and Linfield striker Michael O’Connor.

Norwich City pair Adam Idah and Simon Power will make the step up to under-21 level for the first time, while Tottenham’s Troy Parrott also makes the step up just two months past his 17th birthday.

There’s a strong League of Ireland presence in the squad with eight current players included, while O’Connor is the Irish League’s only representative.

The call-ups have already seen three of next Friday’s Premier Division games postponed, while Waterford’s trip to Sligo Rovers on Saturday is likely to follow suit with two Blues in the squad.

Winger Zack Elbouzedi and striker Aaron Drinan have been included from Alan Reynolds’ squad, while UCD pair Neil Farrugia and Liam Scales’ inclusion led their game with Cork City to be called off.

Bohemians duo Darragh Leahy and Daniel Mandroiu’s inclusion means their game with Dundalk has been called off.

St Patrick’s Athletic, who have Jamie Lennon in the squad, have also seen their game with Derry City postponed with Derry players presumably set to be called up for Northern Ireland’s side.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who was also selected in Mick McCarthy’s provisional squad for the trip to Gibraltar, is one of two goalkeepers in the squad.



His Liverpool colleague Conor Masterson is also included for the first time, as is Manchester United’s Lee O’Connor and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jayson Molumby.

Republic of Ireland U21 squad v Luxembourg

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City)

Defenders: Darragh Leahy (Bohemians), Dara O'Shea (Exeter City, on loan from West Bromwich Albion), Barry Cotter (Ipswich Town), Corrie Ndaba (Ipswich Town), Conor Masterson (Liverpool), Lee O'Connor (Manchester United), Trevor Clarke (Shamrock Rovers), Liam Scales (UCD AFC)

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Jake Doyle Hayes (Cambridge United, on loan from Aston Villa), Connor Ronan (FC DAC 1904, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jamie Lennon (St. Patrick's Athletic), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Dan Mandroiu (Bohemians)

Attackers: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Neil Farrugia (UCD AFC), Zach Elbouzedi (Waterford), Michael O'Connor (Linfield), Simon Power (FC Dordrecht, on loan from Norwich City)