Three Shamrock Rovers players have been recognised by the Ireland manager.
19:45, 08 Mar 2026Updated 19:53, 08 Mar 2026
John O’Shea and Heimir Hallgrímsson at the derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers (Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Heimir Hallgrímsson has included FOUR League of Ireland players in his provisional squad for the World Cup play-offs later this month.
Three of those come from champions Shamrock Rovers, and the other is from current Premier Division leaders Bohemians.
Recent signing Adam Brennan (19) has been recognised by the Ireland manager for his sensational start to life with the Hoops by being named on the provisional panel.
He is joined by teammates Matt Healy and Ed McGinty, while Bohs midfielder Dawson Devoy is also included on the list, a source has confirmed to MirrorSport.
Hallgrímsson will whittle his squad down ahead of an announcement the week before Ireland’s crunch March 26 play-off semi-final against Czechia in Prague – and is expected to go for as experienced a group as possible for the biggest games for the national team in decades.
However, his acknowledgement of the quartet and their starts to the new campaign, along with Hallgrímsson’s regular presence at games, is an indication of his eagerness to keep tabs on the best of the home-based players.
A win against the Czechs would send the Boys in Green into a play-off decider at home to either Denmark or North Macedonia, with a place at this summer’s World Cup at stake.
Hallgrímsson has been a regular at League of Ireland games so far this season.
Last Friday he was at Galway United’s 2-2 draw with Dundalk, while five days earlier he watched St Patrick’s Athletic secure a late win over the Tribesmen.
He was also spotted at the Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, as well as the Hoops’ home game against Dundalk.
Brennan has made an electrifying start to his Rovers career, having moved to the Tallaght Stadium side from UCD during the winter.
Adam Brennan(Image: INPHO/Bryan Keane)
He scored a goal and provided an assist on his league debut against St Patrick’s Athletic, and he won the penalty that secured all three points against Derry City last Friday.
McGinty and Healy both had outstanding first seasons at Shamrock Rovers last year, and look to have taken that form into this campaign.
And Devoy is into his second spell at current leaders Bohemians, where he is now captain, with a move to MK Dons sandwiched in between.
He scored the winner away to Derry City late last month and has been an ever-present for Alan Reynolds’ side so far this season.
His start to the new season has led to player-turned-pundit Alan Cawley calling for Devoy to “be in the conversation” for a spot in the international set-up.
Speaking on the RTÉ podcast earlier this month, Cawley said: “Now, the Czechia game is only three weeks away. I’m not sure he’ll get in the squad for that. But certainly in terms of Nations League games, summer internationals, friendlies, he’s playing at such a level that I think he should be in the conversation.
“We’re not blessed with midfield talent either in that national team at the moment and he’s operating at such a level that I think he should be in the conversation.
“He’s been outstanding and not just with the ball. Without the ball as well, he’s become such a pivotal figure, almost like a leader for that club, not just the team. I’m mad about him.”
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