Tottenham Hotspur’s young forward, Mason Melia, has been called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming friendly matches against Qatar and Canada.
Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has included four players from the League of Ireland in his 24-man squad. However, Lincoln City midfielder Jack Moylan, who netted a hat-trick in his debut during their 5-0 friendly victory over Grenada, has not made the cut.
Melia made his mark at St Patrick’s Athletic in 2023, scoring 21 goals in 76 appearances in the League of Ireland before transferring to Spurs in January for a fee of £1.6 million.
The 18-year-old has already impressed at the under-21 level, scoring three goals in six appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
New additions to the squad include Shamrock Rovers players Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan, along with Bohemians midfielder Dawson Devoy and Cork City’s goalkeeper Conor Brann.
Defender Corrie Ndaba from Lecce, Alex Murphy of Newcastle United, Middlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert, and Tondela’s Joe Hodge have all received their first senior call-ups as well. Benfica’s Jaden Umeh makes a return to the squad after his club initially withdrew him for the Grenada matchup.
James Abankwah, Jayson Molumby and Chiedozie Ogbene are the only players retained from the recent friendly against Murcia.
Veteran Seamus Coleman, who has recently announced his departure from Everton, is included for possibly the last time as he considers his future and potential retirement.
Hibernian striker Owen Elding has been invited to train with the team but is not available to play.
Hallgrimsson’s squad will take on Qatar at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, May 26, before making the trip to Montreal to face Canada on Saturday, June 6.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Ed McGinty (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Brann (Cork City), Mark Travers (Everton).
Defenders: Seamus 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).
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Joe Hodge (Tondela), Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians).
Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Jaden Umeh (Benfica), Mason Melia (Tottenham Hotspur), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Adam Brennan (Shamrock Rovers).