Euro 2024 qualifiers: O'Neill picks first squad since returning to managerial hot seat
Four new faces in the 26-player line-up
Last updated 7th Mar 2023
Michael O'Neill has selected a 26-strong squad for the forthcoming Euro 2024 double-header qualifier against San Marino and Finland.
In come four debutants - Isaac Price, Eoin Toal, Sean Goss and Cameron McGeehan.
Everton midfielder Price (19) steps up to the senior panel after featuring for the Northern Ireland U17, U19 and U21 teams in recent years.
Bolton Wanderers defender Toal has received his first senior call-up after switching from Derry City to the EFL League One side last summer. He previously played for Northern Ireland at U17 and U19 level and extensively for the U21s. And the 24-year-old is a former U21s captain.
Motherwell midfielder Goss (27) was called up to the senior squad in 2018 during Michael O’Neill’s first stint as manager, however injury scuppered his call-up.
Meanwhile, midfielder McGeehan has represented Northern Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level. He was also called up to the senior squad in 2018 but had to withdraw due to injury.
The 27-year-old is currently playing for Belgian First Division A club KV Oostende.
This is O'Neill's first squad since returning as manager in December.
In addition, striker Dale Taylor, who is on loan at EFL League One side Burton Albion from Premiership side Nottingham Forest, has received a fresh call-up.
The 19-year-old was last in the senior squad in November 2021 when he earned his single cap to date in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
And Aberdeen winger Matthew Kennedy returns to the senior international set-up after an absence of a couple of years. He won the last of his three caps against Bulgaria in a World Cup qualifier in March 2021.
Missing though will be skipper Steven Davis, Corry Evans, Stuart Dallas and Ali McCann who are all recovering from injury.
Striker Shayne Lavery is also sidelined.
But Jonny Evans does return despite not having played for his club, Leicester, due to an injury several months ago.
And Craig Cathcart is also back.
But there is no place for Kyle Lafferty who moved to Linfield last month.
The game away to San Marino match is on Thursday March 23rd with the Finland fixture at Windsor on Sunday March 26th.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Burnley), Conor Hazard (HJK Helsinki), Luke Southwood (Cheltenham Town, on loan from Reading).
Defenders – Jonny Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland), Conor Bradley (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Liverpool), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers).
Midfielders – Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), Shane Ferguson (Rotherham United), George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Shea Charles (Manchester City), Cameron McGeehan (KV Oostende), Isaac Price (Everton), Sean Goss (Motherwell).
Forwards – Josh Magennis (Wigan Athletic), Conor Washington (Rotherham United), Gavin Whyte (Cardiff City), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Conor McMenamin (Glentoran), Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen), Dale Taylor (Burton Albion, on loan from Nottingham Forest).