Republic of Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has called UCD's Ian Bermingham and Bray Wanderers defender Derek Pender into his squad ahead of tomorrow's International Challenge Trophy match against Northern Ireland.
Fenlon's preparations for the game at Mourneview Park were upset when injury forced Joseph O'Cearuill (St. Patrick's Athletic), Stephen O'Donnell (Bohemians) and Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers) to withdraw from the squad.
Cork City's Darren Murphy had already been called into replace Gavin Peers of Sligo Rovers after the latter failed a fitness test in Dublin.
Fenlon's side will be looking to build on November's opening 2-0 win over Slovakia and to impress new Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni who will be in attendance at the Lurgan venue.
Northern Ireland lost their opening game 2-1 to Belgium, who
also drew 1-1 with Slovakia.
A win for Fenlon's eircom League selection would, therefore,
see them go top of the group on six points.
Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad
Barry Murphy - Shamrock Rovers
Brendan Clarke - St Patrick Athletic
Conor Kenna - UCD
Ger O Brien - Shamrock Rovers
Derek Pender - Bray Wanderers
Darren Murphy - Cork City
Conor Powell - Bohemians
Shane Guthrie - Cobh Ramblers
Ian Bermingham - UCD
John-Paul Kelly - Bohemians
Killian Brennan - Bohemians
Stephen Rice - Shamrock Rovers
Paul Keegan - Drogheda United
Steven O'Donnell - Bohemians
Ruairi Higgins - Derry City
Paddy Kavanagh - Bray Wanderers
Denis Behan - Cork City
Mark Quigley - St Patrick Athletic
Dave Mooney - Cork City
Gerard Rowe - Bray Wanderers.
