It’s been a great week for young Kilkenny man Tom O’Connor, who recently rejoined Gillingham on loan and has been named in Tom Crawford’s u-21 squad.
O’Connor who originally signed a two and half year contract with Southampton will join club mate Michael Obafemi and Will Smallbone in the u21 Irish squad. Last season O’Connor featured 28 time’s for Gillinham scoring one goal.
Ireland stand in first place in Group 1 on 16-points, but could be joined by the Italians at the top of the Group, come kick-off in Pisa on October 13th.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad –
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)
Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Southampton), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Daniel Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)
Attackers: Jonathan Afolabi (Dundee, on loan from Celtic), Zach Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton)