Rovers are thrilled to announce that defensive duo Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams have made the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming friendly games against Celtic, France and the United States of America.
Martin O’Neill’s side tackle Celtic first at Celtic Park in Scott Brown’s testimonial on Sunday 20th May before meeting France in the Stade de France in Paris on Monday 28th May and then hosting USA later in the week on Saturday 2nd June in Dublin.
The pair made the final cut for the Republic’s International Challenge match against Turkey in March, but both weren’t used in the game.
Dunboyne-born Lenihan has played for his country at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level in the past, and should he play against Celtic, France or USA, will earn his first full cap for his country.
Similarly, Williams could earn his first cap for the senior squad having represented his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 level.
The call up marks quite a few weeks for Lenihan, who bagged his first ever Rovers goal in the win against Oxford United on the final day of the season.
Williams has been a mainstay in the Rovers side this season, performing consistently at left back and as part of a back three on occasions this term.
The two defenders will hope to line up at the heart of the Irish defence alongside ex-Rover Shane Duffy for the upcoming games, whilst another former Blue in Alan Judge has also been named in the squad.
The full squad can be found below:
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Kieran O'Hara (Manchester United), Ian Lawlor (Doncaster Rovers), Conor O'Malley (Peterborough United)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Alex Pearce, Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Kevin Long (Burnley), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), David Meyler (Hull City), Shaun Williams (Millwall), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall), Sean Maguire, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers)
Congratulations and good luck, Darragh and Del!
