Ireland Under-21s Head Coach Jim Crawford has named a 23-man squad for two international friendlies against Scotland and Hungary. 

The young Boys in Green will take on neighbours Scotland in a Friday evening clash at the Pinatar Arena in Spain on March 21. They then face Hungary at the same venue on Monday, March 24. 

There are first-time international call-ups for three players. Manchester United’s Jack Moorhouse earns a place in the squad, as does Joe Gardner currently on loan at Lincoln City from Nottingham Forest. Brentford’s Conor McManus is also named in the travelling group as Crawford looks at his options ahead of the Under-21 EURO Qualifiers in September.

St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Mason Melia and Crystal Palace’s Franco Umeh return to the squad having missed November’s games with Sweden due to injury.

The Under-21s coaching staff has also been confirmed with Assistant Coaches Paul McShane and Stephen Rice as well as Goalkeeping Coach Rene Gilmartin all returning for the upcoming campaign.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad 

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Connor Barratt (Barnsley), Sean Grehan (Bohemians, on loan from Crystal Palace), Conor McManus (Brentford), Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Newcastle United), Connor O’Brien (Accrington Stanley), David Okagbue (Walsall), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Darius Lipsiuc (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), Ronan Maher (Tamworth, on loan from Walsall), Jack Moorhouse (Manchester United), Jamie Mullins (Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Southampton)

Forwards: Joe Gardner (Lincoln City, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Mark O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Harry Vaughan (Hull City)
 

International Friendly Fixtures 

Friday, March 21 | Ireland v Scotland, Pinatar Arena, Spain (Kick Off 8pm local time/ 7pm Irish time)
Monday, March 24 | Hungary v Ireland, Pinatar Arena, Spain (Kick Off 8pm local time/ 7pm Irish time)

Ticket information
For those looking to attend the international matches, it is free entry to both games.