Six Debutants Included In Ireland Team That Should Start Vs Grenada

Ireland will finish off their eventful season with three international friendlies over the coming weeks, starting with a clash against Grenada in Murcia on Saturday evening at 5pm Irish time.

A very inexperienced squad has been taking part in a training camp in Spain in recent days, which included a friendly against Real Murcia ‘B’ on Tuesday. No player plying their trade at top tier clubs are available, with the squad comprised largely of EFL stars not involved in the play-offs.

The game against the world’s 163rd ranked side will be an opportunity to test out some unfamiliar faces. Here’s how we would like to see Ireland line up for that one.

The Ireland team we want vs Grenada
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Ireland need to move away from a five-man defence in the long-term, with that system being viewed as a stopgap solution by Heimir Hallgrimsson to save what was a faltering World Cup qualification campaign.

Something close to a 4-2-3-1 makes sense with the players he has at his disposal and he should look to implement that formation over the remainder of 2026.

GK: Josh Keeley

On the back of an impressive season at Luton Town, Josh Keeley deserves an opportunity to showcase his talents at international level.

Caoimhín Kelleher has the no.1 spot sewn up with Ireland, but Keeley will rightly feel that the two spots behind the Cork man are up for grabs moving forward.

RB: James Abankwah

While a natural centre back, James Abankwah will line out at right back in this team due to a lack of other available options. The Watford man has also played in that position at club level this season.

Abankwah would offer a bit more protection in a back four as a natural defender, something that would appeal to Hallgrimsson in the long-term.

CB: Eiran Cashin

Eiran Cashin had an impressive second half to the season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, helping the club secure their Championship status after joining on loan in January.

The 24-year old has been viewed as a big prospect for quite some time but has had to bide his time for an opportunity at international level.

CB: Dara O’Shea

Dara O’Shea would add some much needed experience to this team, especially in a back four that has one international between them excluding the Ipswich Town man.

The Dubliner is in need of a rest after a long season at club level, although that will likely come during the internationals against Qatar and Canada later in the month.

LB: Tayo Adaramola

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Tayo Adaramola finally made a major breakthrough at club level this season, producing some impressive performances at Sheffield Wednesday despite the team’s struggles.

Ireland are short of options at left back and will be keen for the 22-year old to establish himself at international level as soon as possible.

CM: Rory Finneran

The most eye-catching inclusion in the squad for this window, Rory Finneran has been fast-tracked into the setup despite having yet to feature consistently at first team level.

The 18-year old is viewed as a huge prospect, having made his debut for Blackburn Rovers two months short of his 16th birthday. He is the type of ball-playing midfielder Ireland have been lacking and it will be hoped he can make the step up to international level over the next season or so.

CM: Jayson Molumby

Jayson Molumby is another player who will bring some much needed experience into this team.

The West Brom man had an impressive end to the campaign and played a big role in keeping West Brom in the Championship.

RM: Chiedozie Ogbene

Chiedozie Ogbene has not played a huge amount of football this season, meaning he would benefit from a runout in Murcia on Saturday evening.

The winger remains a key player for Ireland and it will be hoped that he can get back to his best over the coming months with a move during the offseason.

CAM: Jack Moylan

One of the most in-form Irish players this season, it will be interesting to see what Jack Moylan has to offer at international level. The Dubliner registered 11 goals and seven assists in League One despite missing a large chunk of time due to injury early on in the campaign.

Ireland have been crying out for some creativity in the final third and Moylan should get an opportunity to show what he can do in this fixture.

LM: Millencic Alli

Millencic Alli was an unexpected addition to the Ireland squad back in March, although Heimir Hallgrimsson seems keen to integrate the winger into the Ireland setup.

He offers something that is quite rare in the Ireland squad: out and out pace. He found the back of the net in Tuesday’s training ground game against Real Murcia ‘B’ and is likely to start once again at the weekend.

ST: Adam Idah

Adam Idah scored Ireland’s other goal in that 2-0 victory, with the Swansea City man another player who could do with some minutes after a difficult period wit injury at club level.

He has started just one game since the turn of the year.

The Team In Full

This is a hugely inexperienced Ireland team, something that is to be expected considering the makeup of their squad for this window.

Heimir Hallgrimsson will be keen to see what some of the new faces can offer moving forward, with this fixture a prime opportunity to see what they can do.

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