Manchester United goalkeeper amongst newcomers to Northern Ireland squad for Nations League fixtures
Manchester United goalkeeper Dermot Mee and Portsmouth striker Eoin Kenny are the two newcomers to Northern Ireland’s squad for this month’s Nations League double-header with Ukraine and Hungary.
Born in England, Mee has represented Northern Ireland up to U21 level and has been on the books of Premier League giants United since 2015.
The 23-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils, but was rewarded with a new deal this summer and has been involved with Michael Carrick’s squad in Champions League matches against Sabah FK and Atletico Madrid this term.
Mee has replaced Bailey Peacock-Farrell in Michael O’Neill’s squad with the Blackpool goalkeeper dropping to the standby list alongside striker Dion Charles.
Kenny has recently captained Northern Ireland’s U21s and is rewarded with a senior call-up after making a move to Portsmouth last summer.
The 20-year-old scored 22 goals in 94 appearances for Dundalk prior to his England switch, where he has played twice in the Championship this term alongside international team-mate Terry Devlin.
Dan Ballard, Eoin Toal, Jamie McDonnell and Ali McCann were unavailable for selection due to injury.
Northern Ireland currently sit top of their League B group ahead of hosting Ukraine at Windsor Park on November 14 before travelling to Hungary for what could be a decisive showdown in Budapest three days later.
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers – Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Manchester City), Dermot Mee (Manchester United).
Defenders – Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Forbes (Dundee United).
Midfielders - Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny (both Stoke City), Shea Charles (Fulham), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool).
Forwards - Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Jamie Donley (Luton Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal), Eoin Kenny (Portsmouth).