Eighteen year old Newcastle United star in the making Rory Finneran could make his full senior international debut on Saturday.
The exciting Newcastle United teenager getting his first ever senior international call up by Heimir Hallgrimsson (pictured above) for his Republic of Ireland senior squad.
The 18-year-old and his international teammates are in Murcia preparing to face Grenada at 5pm on Saturday afternoon.
Rory Finneran only turned 18 in February and has been a key player for the Newcastle United Under 21s this season who finished third in the league, only Man City and Man U above them. Against serious competition from countless clubs he signed for Newcastle United from Blackburn Rovers in 2024.
Rory Finneran captained the Republic Of Ireland Under-17s that made it through to the last 16 of the Under 17 World Cup in Qatar last year.
Speaking ahead of today’s friendly, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson picked out Rory Finneran for special praise after watching the young United player train this week: “We will see if Rory Finneran is ready or not but… based on training, he is a really impressive young player. The future is his now, so he needs to nurture his young talent.”
The Republic of Ireland then set to play Qatar on Thursday 28 May, before facing Canada on Saturday 6 June. Other players could be added to the squad as their clubs allow.
The Republic of Ireland Squad that was named a week ago, ahead of this Grenada match today:
Goalkeepers: Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion), Josh Keeley (Luton Town), Killian Cahill (Leyton Orient)
Defenders: Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Eiran Cashin (Blackburn Rovers – loan), James Abankwah (Watford), Mark McGuinness (Sheffield United), Tayo Adaramola (Sheffield Wednesday – loan).
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Andrew Moran (Preston North End), Rory Finneran (Newcastle United).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Swansea City), Tom Cannon (Sheffield United), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United – loan), Millenic Alli (Portsmouth), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Aidomo Emakhu (Oxford United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica)