Heimir Hallgrímsson says he will “respect” the wishes of Alan Reynolds and Stephen Bradley on his decision to include a trio of players from Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers in his squad for the upcoming friendlies. Bohs midfielder Dawson Devoy and Rovers pair Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan have received call-ups, as has Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann. This could lead to the postponement of the derby on Monday May 25 between Bohs and Rovers at Dalymount Park. But that’s a decision for the two clubs
to make – and Hallgrímsson says he will respect whatever the two managers decide. Ireland will host Qatar on May 28 and then travel to Montreal to face Canada in the early hours of June 6. Hallgrímsson said: “There are games on the Monday and the Friday. But we’ve called them up in the squad. “I’ve already talked to all the coaches. I told them if they are available we’ll take them from the beginning of the camp. “But obviously it’s in the hands of
the clubs and the coaches, if they want to release them. “And then probably now there will be some talks if we can postpone, for example, Bohs are playing Shamrock Rovers. That is on the Monday. So that could make it easier for them to decide.” Hallgrímsson added that he sent an extended squad list out to all managers 10 days ago, and that he hadn’t been made aware of any concerns. “If they were not available, obviously they should have told us that they
would not be available. But now they know they are in the squad,” he said. “So they just have to make a decision on it. And we respect whatever the decision will be. “Obviously we would like to have them from day one. I think everybody sees the benefits of spending time with these guys. But that’s just how it is. “We take what we get and we respect every decision that is taken.” As for the rest of his squad, neither hat-trick hero Jack
Moylan nor Tom Cannon, who scored the other two goals in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Grenada, will feature, unless there are withdrawals in their positions. Regarding Moylan, Hallgrímsson said: “I think Jack is going for a holiday with family. I wouldn’t want to disrupt that.” He had already made the decision to give Mason Melia his first senior call for the games against Qatar in Dublin on May 28 and Canada in Montreal in the early hours of June 6. Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will
come in for the Qatar game before leaving, with Mark Travers then coming in to take his place for the Canada match. As for the other two goalkeepers McGinty and Brann, they are two of 10 uncapped players to make the squad, after nine uncapped players featured in the training camp in La Finca last week. Seven of those made their debuts on Saturday against Grenada. Former St Patrick’s Athletic striker Melia, now with Tottenham, is another player hoping to make his first senior appearance.
Lecce left-back Corrie Ndaba, Newcastle United prospect Alex Murphy, Middlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert, Joe Hodge of Tondella and Benfica winger Jaden Umeh have also yet to be capped. Making up the 10 are the other two League of Ireland inclusions Devoy and Brennan. Former Sligo Rovers striker Owen Elding has been called in to train with the squad, but he won’t feature in either game as he is still awaiting confirmation of his eligibility to play for Ireland. The English-born forward, who grew up in Ireland
after his dad Anthony moved over to play for Sligo Rovers, should have his papers in time for the Nations League kick-off in September. “He has had a brilliant season, absolutely brilliant season. I have seen that in a few games, some live,” said Hallgrímsson. “What I have seen is his progression. He has improved. He started playing a few minutes and then he increased. He has been a starter now. “I don’t know where his ceiling is. But he has really improved. He is
really good.” There is a recall for Strasbourg defender Andrew Omobamidele. He said of Ndaba: “It’s a strange situation at his club, he is playing against the best teams but not the lesser teams. When they play three-a-side, he is playing on the left. “He can play both, centre-back position and left wing-back or full-back. It will be interesting to see him.” Only three players – Chiedozie Ogbene, Jayson Molumby and James Abankwah – feature in both the Murcia squad and the panel for the
upcoming games. Hallgrímsson hopes to have more training camps like the week-long stay in La Finca, so he can continue to expand his pool of players. “When you have a chance to do a camp like this, all of a sudden you have a chance without the pressure of needing to win the game,” he said. “You can look at players, you can work in peace and quiet with them. It is just so valuable and new for us. “I’ve been here for two years
and never had a chance to do this. Hopefully you can see from this game, this guy is actually closer than you think. “So, to have another four or five knocking on the door after the camp, that not only will bring depth in our squad, but it will put pressure on those normally who have been in the squad. “This is just thinking outside the box and trying to find this one jewel that we haven’t tried before. Hopefully we’ll have debutants to do
well in the next camp.” Goalkeeper: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford)*, Ed McGinty (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Brann (Cork City), Mark Travers (Everton)**. Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg), Corrie Ndaba (Lecce), James Abankwah (Watford), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Ryan Manning (Southampton). Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Joe Hodge (Tondela), Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians). Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Jaden Umeh (Benfica), Mason Melia (Tottenham Hotspur), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich
Town), Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers). *Available for Qatar game **Available for Canada game Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond .
Heimir Hallgrímsson, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Ireland football, international friendlies, Dawson Devoy, player availability