Athlone player in Ireland squad for Malta games

Athlone native Dara McGuinness has been included in the Republic of Ireland Under-18 squad that will take on Malta in two friendlies this week.

McGuinness, who plays for Shamrock Rovers, is named in Colin O’Brien's 20-man squad for the friendly double header in Malta tomorrow (Tuesday), December 7 and Thursday, December 9.

From Monksland, Dara began his football career with St Joseph's FC. He was chosen as the Young Sportsperson of the Year in the 2020 Westmeath Independent Sports Awards.

Both games against Malta will take place at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, home of Hibernians FC (kick-off 10am Irish time in both cases).

Included in the panel is goalkeeper Noah Jauny who is called into an Irish squad for the first time.

James Abankwah also receives a call-up, fresh from winning the FAI Cup with St Patrick's Athletic alongside Athlone's Robbie Benson.

Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers).

Defenders: James Abankwah (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Ben Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Grehan (Bohemians), Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), David Toure (Shelbourne).

Midfielders: Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Oisin Gallagher (Lincoln City), Jad Hakiki (Shelbourne), Jamie Mullins (Bohemians), James McManus (Bohemians), John Ryan (Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Michael Leddy (Shamrock Rovers), Thomas Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Dara McGuinness (Shamrock Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Cork City), Jack O’Reilly (St. Patrick’s Athletic).