Predicting 5 New Faces in the Ireland Squad in 2022
With the domestic season in the UK and further afield just past the halfway stage, Stephen Kenny has surely become aware of some additional in-form options to supplement his squad that ended 2021 so strongly. With a hectic schedule in June, it is very likely that Ireland’s untapped depth will have to be explored with plenty of new names bound to come into contention.
We look at 5 players who could become the latest ‘new faces’ in Stephen Kenny’s plans during 2022. Keep in mind that some players likely to feature like Liam Scales, Darragh Lenihan and Jimmy Dunne have already made Ireland squads and for that reason, are not included on this list.
- Mark Sykes (Oxford United)
Having declared for Ireland last year, Mark Sykes has gone from strength to strenght this season with Oxford United. With 8 goals in 20 appearances this term, Sykes has been key in his clubs promotion drive. Best suited either side of a central midfield three, the 24 year old from Belfast can also operate on the wing. Although he may be down the pecking order in terms of Irish midfielders, his form alone will likely see him included in a Stephen Kenny squad at some point during 2022.
2.Connor Ronan (St.Mirren-On Loan from Wolves)
Connor Ronan seems to have been around forever and it is hard to believe that he is still only 23. After a horrendous injury that ended his impressive spell with Grasshoppers in Switzerland last season, the midfielder has registered 3 goals and 2 assists for Jim Goodwin’s St.Mirren. Having been in and out of the team, Ronan has put a run of form together and was awarded man-of-the-match against Ross County last week. Stephen Kenny will know him well from under-21 level and may feel that his squad is lacking the creativity and technical brilliance that Ronan would bring.
3.Danny McNamara (Millwall)
Another player to feature under Stephen Kenny at under-21 level, Danny McNamara was name checked by the Ireland manager last month having become more established in the first team of Millwall. Despite an inconsistent run of games, McNamara has shown a competency operating as a wing-back which would suit Kenny’s style of play. At 23, many will feel McNamara is a better deputy to Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty than Cyrus Christie who hasn’t kicked a ball in months.
4.Marcus Harness (Portsmouth)
Despite looking set to feature for Ireland in 2021 after being flown to Dublin meet the Irish squad in late 2020, Marcus Harness was nowhere to be seen. However, the 25 year old may be hard to ignore now having hit the net for Portsmouth 9 times this season as they mount a strong push for promotion. Harness has been linked with a January move away from Pompey with Blackburn said to be interested and this could enhance his chances of an Ireland cap.
5.Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth)
Having an excellent season under Scott Parker who is trying to turn him into a mini version of himself. Full of energy and vision, the youngster will surely be capped given the fact he is perhaps Ireland’s most capable holding midfielder to replace Josh Cullen should he be unavailable and assuming James McCarthy doesn’t make a comeback. Still only 21, Kilkenny seems to constantly be improving and could be a Premier League player by summer time.
WILDCARD: Sean McLoughlin (Hull City)
Despite not featuring at all for Hull at the start of the season, one time Liverpool linked Sean McLoughlin is getting a nice run of games together for the Championship strugglers. A left footer, McLoughlin could offer some balance to Ireland’s centre-back options. However, Darragh Lenihan and Jimmy Dunne surely must be ahead of the 25 year old.
Nick, The Green Machíne Podcast
