Former Irish League teenager receives maiden Northern Ireland U21 call-up
Former Irish League teenager Paul McGovern has received his maiden Northern Ireland U21 call-up for three upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
McGovern was named Ulster Footballer Young Player of the Year for his sensational form at Glenavon last season despite the Lurgan Blues suffering relegation for the first time in over 20 years.
The 18-year-old scored eight goals in 35 league appearances for the Mourneview Park club and earned a move to Scottish Premiership outfit Falkirk this summer.
McGovern has played twice in Scotland’s top-flight and also featured in the League Cup for John McGlynn’s side.
Having represented Northern Ireland at U17 and U19 level, McGovern has now been called upon by Tommy Wright for a triple-header against Malta (September 26), Georgia (October 1) and Greece (October 6).
McGovern could be set for a Mourneview return with the Co Armagh venue hosting Northern Ireland’s showdown with Greece while Ballymena’s Showgrounds will stage a clash against Georgia five days prior.
Former Glentoran youngster Conor Haughey has also been included for the first time in Wright’s panel after impressing for Fleetwood Town in League Two – the 19-year-old defender made 19 league appearances last term and two so far this season.
Matthew Orr and Shea Kearney, who both gained senior experience in the Irish League before moving across the water to Nottingham Forest and Dunfermline Athletic respectively, have been recalled having missed the last international window.
A number of players eligible for Wright’s squad, including the likes of Kieran Morrison, Ceadach O’Neill and Braiden Graham, have been picked in the senior panel by Michael O’Neill for their Nations League campaign.
Northern Ireland U21 squad
Goalkeepers – Fraser Barnsley (Everton), Joshua Gracey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Stephen McMullan (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town).
Defenders – Conor Barr (Derry City), Joshua Briggs (West Ham United), Samuel Inwood (Swindon Town, on loan from Bolton Wanderers), Shea Kearney (Dunfermline Athletic), Bayley McCann (Doncaster Rovers), Matthew Orr (Nottingham Forest), Jonathan Russell (Crawley Town), Conor Haughey (Fleetwood Town).
Midfielders – Callum Burnside (Airdrieonians, on loan from Rangers), Ryan Donnelly (Leicester City), Sam Glenfield (Waterford), Jack Patterson (Everton), Darren Robinson (Doncaster Rovers), James Simpson (Larne), Francis Turley (Celtic).
Forwards – Cole Brannigan (Aston Villa), Aodhan Doherty (Falkirk, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Eoin Kenny (Portsmouth), Makenzie Kirk (Barnsley, on loan from Portsmouth), Paul McGovern (Falkirk), Devlan Moses (Sheffield Wednesday).