Kilkenny native Colm Whelan is part of the Republic of Ireland Under 21 side due to meet Sweden in Dublin tonight.
The young Boys in Green will look to close the gap on the group leaders who currently have 14 points – Ireland currently has seven points.
Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium is at 7 pm.
Whelan made his first start for the Boys In Green in last week’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy.
There are no injury concerns for Jim Crawford’s side.
Ahead of the game, manager Jim Crawford said: “They’re an attacking side and a very good team but I’m looking forward to the game and the challenge – as are the players. The is all part of their development. Against Italy, there were passages of play where we were good, confident on the ball, and opened up Italy. We need more of that in the game against Sweden.”
Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United), Luke McNicholas (Cliftonville, on loan from Sligo Rovers)
Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Andy Lyons (Bohemians) Oisin McEntee (Greenock Morton, on loan from Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic)
Midfielders: Conor Coventry (Peterborough United, on loan from West Ham United) Dawson Devoy (Bohemians), William Hondermarck (Barnsley), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Conor Noss (Borussia Möchengladbach), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Ross Tierney (Bohemians)
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Crawley Town, on loan from Southampton), Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Armstrong Oko-Flex (West Ham United), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Salford City, on loan from Aston Villa)
M A T C H D A Y | 🇮🇪 v 🇸🇪
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 16, 2021
The final Ireland U21 game of 2021 as we face Sweden under the lights in Tallaght ☘️
📅 Tonight
📍@tallaghtstadium
⌚️KO 7pm
🎟 Tickets available this evening at the stadium or in advance here 👉 https://t.co/faHuaCmb9F#IRU21 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/OoBBD5vxZC
