Shane Duffy and Aaron Connolly return to Ireland squad

Shane Duffy and Aaron Connolly both return to Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad for qualifying games with France and Netherlands.

Ireland face France in Princes on Thursday, September 7 before facing the Dutch in the Aviva Stadium on September 10.

Defender Shane Duffy comes back into the squad for the first time since September 2022. The 31-year old, who has 55 caps & seven goals for Ireland, joined Norwich City in the summer.

Striker Aaron Connolly receives his first call-up to the senior squad since October 2021. Connolly having scored three goals for Hull City this season. Whereas Luton Town's Chiedozie Ogbene returns to the squad after missing the summer internationals through injury.

Festy Ebosele receives his first senior call-up since June 2022 after impressing for Udinese in the Italian Serie A. Meanwhile, Southampton's Ryan Manning, Stoke City's Enda Stevens and Preston North End's Will Keane also come back into the squad.

Ireland have lost two of their opening three fixtures in Euro 2024 qualifying, having been beaten by France in Dublin in round one.

Defender Matt Doherty is suspended for the match against France following his two-game suspension for the red card against Greece in June.

Doherty will return for the Netherlands fixture and will report for international duty on Sunday.

Republic of Ireland Squad - France/Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth).

Defenders: Matt Doherty* (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Enda Stevens (Stoke City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), James McClean (Wrexham), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).

Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Preston North End), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Aaron Connolly (Hull City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town).

*Suspended for the France fixture