Mark Travers and James Collins make the cut but Ronan Curtis and Alan Browne likely to miss Gibraltar and Georgia qualifiers

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has announced his final 23-man squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Gibraltar and Georgia later this month.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers has made the cut with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher joining Stephen Kenny’s under-21 squad for their Euro qualifier with Luxembourg and Kieran O’Hara dropping out.

The manager has called on a familiar group at the back to keep Gibraltar and Georgia at bay with Sheffield United pair John Egan and Enda Stevens being rewarded for their impressive club campaigns to date with the Blades currently sitting in third place in the Championship.

The major casualty from the previous campaign is Cyrus Christie, who misses out on the final squad, with Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Richard Keogh and Shane Duffy included.

Regulars in recent years, Aidan McGeady, David Meyler and James McCarthy are left out as well as more recent additions Daryl Horgan and Shaun Williams not making the cut either.

Preston midfielder Alan Browne has been included in the squad but is a major doubt having picked up an ankle injury last night in Preston’s win over Middlesbrough.

Ronan Curtis has also been included in the final squad but McCarthy confirmed today that he has little chance of making the upcoming games following a freak finger injury in midweek.

Both players are likely to be replaced in the squad before the squad travels to Gibraltar ahead of Saturday week’s opening game.

Shane Long, Sean Maguire, David McGoldrick and James Collins will lead the line up front with a replacement for Curtis expected before the squad travel to Gibraltar.

Republic of Ireland squad to face Gibraltar and Georgia:



Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Mark Travers (Bournemouth)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)

Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Harry Arter (Cardiff City – on loan from Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton Town)