QPR striker Cian Dillon and Lecce midfielder Ed McJannet have been called into the Ireland Under-21s squad ahead of two friendlies against Croatia and Qatar.

Dillon, who finished top goalscorer for Ireland Men’s Under-19s with six goals in his debut international season, earns his first Under-21s call-up. McJannet, featured in the last U21 EURO Qualification campaign and returns to the squad for the first time since November.

The pair replace St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Mason Melia and Manchester United’s Jack Moorhouse who are both ruled out through injury.

Speaking about the squad update, Head Coach Jim Crawford said: “Cian has had an impressive international season with the Under-19s and earned a move from Shamrock Rovers to Queen’s Park Rangers. He deserves his chance and we look forward to welcoming him into the group. Ed, has played a lot of senior football since the turn of the year and with his season only ending last week he will come in ready to go.

“It’s unfortunate Mason and Jack miss out. Mason made a great impact in the last window, becoming the youngest ever Ireland Under-21s goalscorer, and had also been in scoring form for his club but he’s ruled out through injury. Jack had made his Under-21s debut in March, enjoyed the camp and had travelled with Manchester United’s first team to Asia. Sadly he too won’t be with us as he suffered a knock that means he’s out.

“Their absence presents an opportunity for others to impress. These games against Croatia and Qatar are vital for our campaign in September.”

Ireland Men’s Under-17s will also be playing in Croatia where they face Norway U18s on Thursday followed by Türkiye U18s on Saturday and Croatia U18s on Monday. 

Head Coach Colin O’Brien has added St. Patrick’s Athletic Niall Sullivan and Cork City’s David Dunne to his squad.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Killian Barrett (Sheffield Wednesday), Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Stockport County).

Defenders: Sam Curtis (Sheffield United), Sean Grehan (Bohemians, on loan from Crystal Palace), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), David Okagbue (Walsall), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Darius Lipsiuc (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), Jamie Mullins (Brighton & Hove Albion),  Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Southampton), Cathal O’Sullivan (Cork City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City)

Forwards: Warren Davis (Drogheda United), Cian Dillon (Queen’s Park Rangers), Joe Gardner (Nottingham Forest), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion)

International Friendly Fixtures (Kick-Offs Irish time)

Friday, June 6 | Croatia U21 v Ireland U21, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, KO 16:00
Tuesday, June 10 | Ireland U21 v Qatar U23, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, KO 17:00

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17s Squad

Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers).

Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Finn Sherlock (TSG Hoffenheim).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Niall Sullivan (St. Patrick’s Athletic).

Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), David Dunne (Cork City) Billy Hayes (St. Patrick’s Athletic),  Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).
 

International friendly fixtures (Kick-Offs Irish time)

Wednesday, June 4 | Ireland v Norway, Kotorbika, Croatia, KO 14.30PM
Saturday, June 7 | Türkiye v Ireland, Kotorbika, Croatia, KO 14:30PM
Monday, June 9 | Croatia v Ireland, Stadium Ludbreg, Croatia, KO 10.30AM