Left-back Shane O’Connor has been added to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for the final two games of their 2011 UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign. The Irish youngsters face Switzerland on Friday and then Turkey on Tuesday, both away.

O’Connor, who was originally on standby for the matches, has previously won caps at U19, U18, U17 and U16 levels but is yet to play for the U21s.

The 20-year-old told the club site that he's delighted to receive the call: "I'd love to have the chance to progress and play for Ireland.

"I've played at the youth levels but being involved at U21 will give me a boost and hopefully I can move on from here.

"The call-up has come as a bonus really. I've just focused on playing for Ipswich and taking every chance I get at the club. I have looked at it as if the call from Ireland came, then great, I'd love to go, but it's been about me getting as many games under my belt as I can at the club."

Team-mate Conor Hourihane had already been named in the squad, which stands no chance of qualification for the finals.

The Corkman, who has also played in various roles in midfield recently, is one of seven Town players currently on international duty.

Photo: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 11:20 - Sep 2 Good luck son. Don't get crocked please.
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Blue_Square added 11:20 - Sep 2 Really rate this guy....! Think he looks far better than his age might imply.
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Redmond added 11:34 - Sep 2 I Think Liverpool Lost A Really Good Young Talent Here But We Have Him Now. Good Luck Shane
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Wallingford_Boy added 12:14 - Sep 2 Blimey, they must be short!!
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Karlosfandangal added 12:27 - Sep 2 Are we the only club who keep saying the season is too long for the youngsters and they need to be rested, and then we have a two week break and off they go play in Internationals. Good luck to the lad I think he has done really well for us and I agree Liverpool's loss.
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bluelady added 13:04 - Sep 2 Well keane's got a few signings wrong but he struck gold with this one, without tthe chance given to shane he may well have disappeared into football obscurity. Glad his talent is being recongnised, proving versatile too at left back and able to play midfield too!
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bluelady added 13:04 - Sep 2 Well keane's got a few signings wrong but he struck gold with this one, without tthe chance given to shane he may well have disappeared into football obscurity. Glad his talent is being recongnised, proving versatile too at left back and able to play midfield too!
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gypo added 14:05 - Sep 2 Wallingford boy - blimey, you must be short sighted !!!! Great player good luck shane and to all our players off with there country. But come back ok please a very big month coming up. COYB
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Back_The_Boss added 14:10 - Sep 2 Good luck. Please don't get injured though.
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Town22 added 14:12 - Sep 2 He's very busy (Stockwell'esk), but the few games I've seen him play, he seems to be trying to hard to impress. When he keeps it simple, he looks good, but then he goes on a run and ends up losing the ball (as he did at Crewe last week). He's alright, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that he'll be one of of best players
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Wallingford_Boy added 14:51 - Sep 2 Very average player who will not get a look in when Kennedy is back.
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JayITFC added 15:48 - Sep 2 He's okay but some people are going overboard. Keeping David Wright (LB/RB) would have been a far better option for example, the only downside being the wage difference.
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Fatcatevans added 17:30 - Sep 2 How sad to see the negative in absolutely everything Wallingford Boy. Bet xmas is fun with you
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huddersfielditfc added 19:17 - Sep 2 Viva O'Connorrrr, Viva O'connorrr running down the wing, hear the ipswich sing viva O'connorrrrr
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colonel added 19:45 - Sep 2 Congrats to the lad. ITFC is becoming a v good club for young top talent to come to & flourish. If they're good enough then they are likely to get a chance to play first team football..... and this it seems is being noticed at International level which can only bode well for the Club's future.
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jas0999 added 20:39 - Sep 2 Good luck to him. Well done.
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Barhamblue added 22:02 - Sep 2 Well done fella, you deserve this. Top find this one and all credit to Keano. The Kid has already praised keano's management and recognises how he has brought on his career. I think Liverpool will reget loosing this one in the future
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hollywoodginge added 07:19 - Sep 3 I really wish people would stop banging on about David wright and the others, keane said he wanted to get rid of the players that had been here a while and weren't taking the club anywhere, he has done this and we now have a squad with a fantastic mix of youth and the right type of experience, the hunger to succeed and brilliant team ethic, this lad o'connor realises how close he was to being out of the game and he's been given a second chance, you can see he wants to take it, best of luck to him.

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brian_a_mul added 09:32 - Sep 3 He is proving to be very versitile, Left back, left midfield, left of the front 3! Will turn out to be a very valuable squad player this season. I wonder if he can play in goals! He has the defensive capabilities to play at the back but he is also not afraid to try his luck forward and take people on with his dribbling (even though he may loose the ball sometimes). He might not make the best forward player but in a few years this lad could easily be a top attacking left back. I think Keane see his potential and is exploring the possibilities with Shane.

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