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Sykes and Ronan receive first...

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Sykes and Ronan receive first Ireland call-ups


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Mark Sykes and Connor Ronan have been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time. 

The pair have received the nod from Stephen Kenny to take their place in a 25-man selection for the games against Belgium and Lithuania.

Midfielder Sykes has impressed for Oxford United, while Ronan is in good form in Scotland with St Mirren, where he's on loan from Wolves.

Meanwhile, Michael Obafemi has missed out on a place in the squad, despite turning down an invitation to join Jim Crawford's under-21 set-up in the hope of breaking back into the senior set-up.

There are returns for three players.

Dara O'Shea of West Brom is back involved after sustaining a fractured ankle versus Portugal last September.

Darragh Lenihan is included on the back of a good run with Blackburn in the Championship, while Birmingham City's Scott Hogan takes his place having last played at international level in 2019.

Ireland's clash with Belgium takes place tomorrow week - Saturday the 26th - at the Aviva Stadium.

The Belgians have named a squad without many of their big names for the game at Lansdowne Road.

Lithuania are the visitors to the Aviva three days later.


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Connor Ronan Ireland Mark Sykes Republic Of Ireland Stephen Kenny

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