Ireland will play in the competition’s second tier in a group comprising of Wales, Finland, and Bulgaria. Thursday is the competition’s opening round. Three days later Ireland host Finland in Dublin. The Nations League offers the former Dundalk a coach a chance to make his mark.

After a long break, Ireland have a busy autumn schedule. Nations League games appear in September, October and November. As well as this the Euro 2021 qualifier play-off against Slovakia is on the 8th of October.

Kenny will know the rewards that come from a good campaign here. Uefa Nations ranking currently have Ireland 20th. This puts them in pot 2 for next year’s world cup qualifiers. Staying there will yield a favorable draw ahead of next March’s fixtures.

𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏…#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/MaMFNvDbth

— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2020) August 31, 2020

New Blood for Ireland

There will be chances for Kenny to experiment with his squad here. The quick turnaround between games will mean plenty of minutes for players. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Kenny admitted that “Places are up for grabs”. Younger players such as Jayson Molumby and Aaron Connolly will take that as a challenge to be accepted. The likes of Adam Idah and Michael Obafemi could also get minutes.

Kenny has given call-ups to West Brom’s Dara O’Shea and Preston’s Sean Maguire. Defender O’Shea captained the Irish u-21s under Kenny. “His ability to play the four positions is an asset” said the manager. Maguire meanwhile comes in after Troy Parrott picked up an injury while on club duty with Milwall.

Kenny’s familiarity with younger players is reason for excitement. In the next few months we can expect to see new faces in the international set up. This competition for places will be healthy for the Irish team.

Ireland hope to replicate their 3-1 win over Bulgaria last September. This time you may see new names to get on the scoresheet.

Ireland v Bulgaria Teams – Predicted XI

Ireland: Randolph, Doherty, Duffy, Egan, Stephens, McCarthy, Hourihane, Robinson, Hendrick, Brady, Long (4-2-3-1)

Stephen Kenny’s men are 11/8 with BETPAT football betting to secure a first win for the former Dundalk manager. Bulgaria is 5/2 to pull off the shock.

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Waterford-born Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby and Cork native Adam Idah, the Norwich City striker, both receive their first call-ups to the senior Ireland squad. Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy, Fulham’s Harry Arter, Southampton’s Shane Long and Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan all return to the squad for the games in Sofia and Dublin.

David McGoldrick, the Sheffield United striker and the 3 FAI Player of the Year for 2020, will join the squad for the Finland game, pending the assessment of a long-term foot injury.

New partnership

The squad was announced at JACC headquarters in Dublin as the FAI unveiled a new six-year partnership with the New Era brand of headwear and leisurewear.

The Irish players will meet up on Sunday ahead of two day’s training at the National Training Centre in Abbotstown before flying to the Bulgarian capital on Tuesday afternoon. Both the UEFA Nations League games will be played behind closed doors.

Ireland squad v Bulgaria and Finland

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (unattached)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Fulham), Jeff Hendrick (unattached), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Robbie Brady (Burnley).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan at Millwall), Shane Long (Southampton).

Note: David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) will join the squad for the Finland game.

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