Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Atrás
Mee and Kenny handed first Northern Ireland call-ups
Dermot Mee and Eoin Kenny
Image caption, Dermot Mee and Eoin Kenny are both underage internationals with Northern Ireland
Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist

Manchester United goalkeeper Dermot Mee and Portsmouth forward Eoin Kenny have been handed their first Northern Ireland call-ups for November's final Nations League matches with Ukraine and Hungary.

Mee, 23, is a former Northern Ireland underage international and, although he has not played competitively for United this season, will add competition to NI's first choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles.

"He's been on [Under-]21s in the past so he knows a lot of the players," said manager Michael O'Neill.

"He's currently third-choice at Manchester United, he's involved obviously in their Champions League squads and I had a good chat with Johnny Evans about him. He spoke very highly of him."

Attacker Kenny, who is the son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen, joined Portsmouth from Dundalk in July.

The 20-year-old has made one league appearance for the Championship club, but has been handed a first call after impressing for the Northern Ireland Under-21s under Tommy Wright.

"I think this is really a reward for a strong campaign for Tommy in the 21s," added O'Neill.

"He made that move from from Dundalk to Portsmouth in the summer and it just gives us a chance to see him."

Striker Dion Charles and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell drop out of the squad.

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is missing after he injured his hamstring in the September win over Georgia in Tbilisi, while defender Eoin Toal, midfielders Ali McCann and Jamie McDonnell are also absent through injury.

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, who has not played since January, remains a long-term absentee.

Michael O'Neill's side are unbeaten at the top of League B2 and can earn promotion to the top tier for the first time.

Northern Ireland face Ukraine at Windsor Park on Saturday, 14 November at 19:45 GMT before they travel to Hungary in their final match on 17 November.

Both games are live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

Northern Ireland are the only side left in the entire Nations League who have yet to concede a goal in this year's competition.

Shea Charles scored a last-gasp winner in Georgia in September before a goalless draw at home to Hungary.

A 3-0 victory over Ukraine was one of the most impressive performances from O'Neill's young side, and they ended the quadruple-header with another goalless draw, this time at home to Georgia.

If Northern Ireland can top the group they would not only win promotion to League A, but they would also be all but guaranteed of a play-off for Euro 2028.

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles (QPR - on loan from Manchester City), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Dermot Mee (Manchester United)

Defenders: Trai Hume (Sunderland), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Michael Forbes (Dundee)

Midfielders: Shea Charles (Fulham), Ethan Galbraith (Stoke City), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday - on loan from Liverpool), Paul Smyth (QPR), Isaac Price (West Brom), Justin Devenny (Stoke City), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End)

Forwards: Jamie Donley (Luton Town - on loan from Spurs), Ceadach O'Neill (Arsenal), Eoin Kenny (Portsmouth), Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Braiden Graham (Everton).

You may like

West Ham United

theguardian.com hace 9 horas

West Ham part ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo

straitstimes.com hace 9 horas

Brobbey extends Sunderland deal until 2031

soccernews.com hace 5 horas

West Ham part ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo

straitstimes.com hace 9 horas

Pick of the stats: Charlton Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

bbc.co.uk hace 1 día

Green backs 'proven' Parker for Hammers job

aol.com hace 6 horas

West Ham sack Nuno Espirito Santo, "temporary" replacements named ahead of Cardiff City fixture

sportsmole.co.uk hace 9 horas

Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk hace 1 día

Chelsea transfer news: Liverpool, Blues 'set sights' on £40m Brentford signing

sportsmole.co.uk hace 2 horas

Sources: West Ham Agree Deal to Appoint 'Incredible' Manager

givemesport.com hace 9 horas