Byrne named in Kenny’s Ireland squad
By Stephen Leonard
SHAMROCK Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne has been named in Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final against Slovakia in Bratislava and the UEFA Nations League games against Wales in Dublin and Finland in Helsinki.
The Hoops playmaker has continued to impress with the current Airtricity League leaders and was twice on target for them in their 4-0 demolition of defending champions Dundalk in Oriel Park on Sunday.
Jack Byrne, Shamrock Rovers
For Byrne and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams, it is the first time they feature in an Ireland squad under Kenny.
Bournemouth netminder Mark Travers has also been named in the 25-man panel, the former Lucan United player among three goalkeeping options for Kenny along with Darren Randolph and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Former Shamrock Rovers full back Enda Stevens has again been named among the defenders ahead of the clash with Slovakia.
Despite the implementation of a ban on all sporting activity in Slovakia from Thursday as a consequence of the rise in COVID-19 cases there, Ireland’s Euro 2020 semi final is still set to go ahead.
The squad will assemble in Dublin on Sunday and train at the FAI’s National Training Centre in Abbotstown before flying to Slovakia on Tuesday.
