Blues Quartet in Ireland Squad
Thursday, 19th Mar 2026 12:24

Dara O’Shea, Jack Taylor and on-loan Blues duo Chieo Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics have been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup play-offs later this month.

Ireland face Czechia at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Thursday 26th March with the winners then hosting the victors of the Denmark-North Macedonia tie on Tuesday 31st March for a place in the finals.

O’Shea has previously won 41 caps, Taylor 10, Ogbene, who is on loan at Sheffield United, 30, netting four international goals, and Szmodics, who is on loan at Derby, 11.

Kasey McAteer, who has previously won eight caps, scoring once, is not included in the party, while ex-Town forward David McGoldrick is also omitted despite speculation that the 38-year-old Barnsley man might be in line for a shock recall.

Photo: Andrew Surma/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

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poldark added 12:42 - Mar 19 Come Sammie show McKenna what an idiot he is
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Gforce added 14:53 - Mar 19 Perhaps Dara and Jack could have a quiet word with Mr Parrott and persuade him to join us in the summer ! I can dream !
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StowTractor added 15:40 - Mar 19

McKenna has already said we didn't move Sammy on for footballing reasons Poldark. If he worked for my employer and said the things he is alleged to have said to a colleague the result would be either a final written warning or more likely instant dismissal.

On another note how is Finn Azaz counted as a midfielder and Ogbene as a forward? They are both wingers, could be in either category but surely they need to be consistent.