Bohemians striker Glen Crowe will become the first League of Ireland player to play in an international for the Republic in 16 years when he lines-up against Greece in Wednesday's friendly in Athens, the Football Association of Ireland's (FAI) announced today.
Crowe will partner Tottenham's Gary Doherty in the first Ireland side picked by caretaker boss Don Givens. Crowe is the first Irish-based player to represent Ireland at senior level since Shamrock Rovers' Pat Byrne won the last of his eight caps in a 3-1 victory against Czechoslovakia in 1986
Givens' first squad has been hit by withdrawals, with Wimbledon striker David Connolly the latest to pull out, the forward saying he has a heel injury and has not dropped out because of annoyance at failure to make the original party.
Crowe has been the League of Ireland's top goalscorer for the past two seasons and is en route for a third accolade with 17 goals in his account already.
He was in the squad previously when Ireland played Portugal and Estonia in June 2001, though he did not play in either match.