The Ireland under-21 squad for the new cycle is full of lesser-known faces so here’s your breakdown.

(Warning: Features a lot of Cork and a lot of Pat’s)

Goalkeepers:

Noah Jauny (Brest, 20): Former Shamrock Rovers academy keeper now playing in France

Aaron Maguire (Spurs, 20): England-born ‘keeper playing for Tottenham’s under-21 side

Conor Walsh (Sligo, 19): Sligo youngster spent some of this season on loan at Wexford FC

Right-Backs:

Connor O’Brien (Accrington, 20): Featured in previous campaign, 11 League Two appearances this season

James Abankwah (Udinese, 20): More familiar to us as a centre-back but the former Pat’s man could feature on the right-side this time around.

Centre-Backs:

Sean Grehan (Palace, 20): The Bohemians product spent some of last season on loan with Carlisle.

David Okagbue (Walsall, 20): Okagbue joined Walsall from Stoke City over the summer and is a regular starter

Gabriel Otegbayo (Shef Wed, 20): Corkman made his Sheffield Wednesday Championship debut earlier this season.

Left-Backs:

Jacob Slater (Brighton, 20): Former Preston prospect joined Brighton’s under-21s in the summer of 2023.

Alex Murphy (Newcastle, 20): Once a Galway United star, Murphy is now on the cusp of the Magpies first team.

Centre-midfield

Darius Lipsiuc (Stoke, 19): Pat’s product Lipsiuc only just turned 19 but is already a key player for the Stoke under-21s.

Ed McJannet (Lecce, 20): McJannet took the bold step of leaving Luton for Lecce’s under-19s in 2023 but now trains with the first team from time to time.

Adam Murphy (Bristol City, 19): A familiar face to LOI fans, Murphy is a robust midfielder who left Pat’s for the Robins last winter.

Glory Nzingo (Swansea, 20): Another Pat’s product, Nzingo is now with Swansea’s under-21s after spending some time with Stade Reims under-19s.

Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Southampton, 19): Overcame injury issues with Cork City to earn a big move to the Saints last January.

Advanced Midfield

Jamie Mullins (Brighton, 20): Burst onto the scene with Bohs as a 17-year-old and now stars for the Brighton under-21s.

Harry Vaughan (Hull, 20): Won Hull’s POTM two seasons ago but now mostly plays with their under-21 side.

Wingers

Rocco Vata (Watford, 19): A key part of the last campaign. Took the leap to join Watford from Celtic over the summer and it’s paying off.

Kevin Zefi (Roma, 19): Another excellent winger, previously with Shamrock Rovers II and Inter under-21s.

Sean Moore (West Ham, 19): Dribbler changed allegiances from the North. Three goals in PL2 this season.

Ben Quinn (Mansfield, 19): Dubliner signed for Mansfield from Celtic B over the summer. Nephew of Stephen Quinn.

Forwards

Mark O’Mahony (Brighton, 19): Corkman currently on loan with Portsmouth in the Championship and playing regularly.

Tommy Lonergan (Fleetwood, 20): FAI Cup-clinching striker for Pat’s now playing with Fleetwood Town in League Two.

Adrien Thibaut (Crewe, 20): Ex-Cobh Ramblers striker has scored in League Two this season.

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