It's not a certainty but it would seem fairly likely that Jack Byrne's impressive run of form for Cambuur in the Eredivisie this season has not been enough to force his way into Martin O'Neill's thinking for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia.
Despite Cambuur's shaky league position, Byrne has been giving us plenty of reason to tune into the Eredivisie each week with his latest performance against Feyenoord enough to earn him a spot in the Team of the Week despite the fact that his side went down to a 3-1 loss.
All of that has led to quite a few calls, not least from ourselves, for Martin O'Neill to give the 19 year old his first senior call-up when he announces his squad on Friday for the friendlies at the end of the month. However, it would now appear unlikely that Byrne will be included given that Noel King has named him in an impressive Irish u21 squad to face Italy and Slovenia in UEFA U21 Championship Qualifying Round on March 24th and 28th respectively.
Joining Byrne in that 24 man squad is Blackburn's impressive midfielder Brian Lenihan and Shamrock Rovers Brandon Miele.
Ireland u21 squad to face Italy and Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Ian Lawlor (Manchester City – on-loan to Bury), Danny Rogers (Aberdeen – on-loan to Falkirk)
Defenders: Brian Lenihan (Hull City), Tommie Hoban (Watford), Glen Rea (Brighton), Jack Connors (Dagenham), Niall Keown (Reading), Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic), Kevin O’Connor (Cork City), Sean Long (Reading), Shane Griffin (Reading)
Midfielders: Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Harry Charsley (Everton), Josh Cullen (West Ham United – on-loan to Bradford), Jack Byrne (Manchester City – on-loan to Cambuur), Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers), Kenny McEvoy (York City)
Forwards: Conor Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers – on-loan to Newport County), Shamir Goodwin (Crawley Town), Josh Barrett (Reading), Sean Maguire (Cork City), Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers)
And speaking of Euro 2016 - Anyone who brings their rejection letter/proof of failed ticket application and buys the new Ireland football jersey in Life Style Sports on Grafton Street between 8am and 9am on Thursday, 10th March, will be in with a chance to win a trip to France for two to cheer on the boys in green.
