Interim manager John O'Shea has named his squad for Ireland's upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland - and there is no place for Leicester City striker Tom Cannon.
O'Shea's selection includes first-time squad members Finn Azaz and Jake O'Brien, the uncapped Sammie Szmodics, and the returning Robbie Brady and Callum O'Dowda, so fans may have been disappointed to see 21-year-old striker Cannon excluded.
Cannon made his debut for the Ireland U21s last year, scoring in a victory against Iceland at Turners Cross.
However, when the summer window of internationals came around, senior manager Stephen Kenny revealed that he would intervene after it emerged that the FA were attempting to persuade Cannon to switch allegiances to England - the nation of his birth.
The young forward was absent for the remainder of the year for the U21s, and any prospect of a potential senior call-up (something Kenny hinted had been on the cards) was halted.
With Cannon again absent from the senior squad under O'Shea and Jim Crawford's latest U21 selection, despite decent form for Leicester, one would be forgiven for wondering if his mind has been made up.
Addressing the media on Thursday, O'Shea was keen to play down any fears that Cannon was about to defect.
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John O'Shea explains Tom Cannon absence from Ireland squad
14 March 2024; Manager John O'Shea during a Republic of Ireland squad announcement at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
When asked to explain the absence of Tom Cannon from his 26-man squad, John O'Shea's response was short but sweet:
Tom's concentrating on his club stuff, it's as simple as that. That was it.
I've no worries like that [Cannon declaring for England] at all.
Though the concept of an Irish player prioritising their club career over international selection may not go over too well with a section of Irish fans, supporters will hopefully be reassured by O'Shea's response. The interim manager appeared in no doubt that Cannon will be an Ireland player in the future - though when that will be remains unclear.
One man who some feared Ireland would lose to another nation was Sammie Szmodics.
With the Blackburn midfielder in electric form yet strangely evading selection for any Ireland teams under Stephen Kenny, reports emerged that Hungary were attempting to poach the 28-year-old.
However, he appears set to play a crucial role for Ireland going forward, and O'Shea said on Thursday he was delighted to welcome the attacking star into the camp:
It was very straightforward. One of the first games I went to, I went to watch Blackburn v Millwall. Michael Obafemi was obviously playing as well.
Any of the conversations I've had with Sammie, they were all straightforward. He's buzzing, he's delighted to be coming in.
It's great to have a player in such good form consistently all season, too. He's got that versatility in terms of where he's playing at the minute as well. He's floating from a striker into a 10 position too.
As I said, it's great to have an option like that to bring into the squad.
Ireland play Belgium in the Aviva Stadium on March 23 before hosting Switzerland three days later.
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