STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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James Abankwah pictured in action for the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA European U-21 Championship qualifier against Norway at Turner's Cross in Cork in October Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
A piece of local sporting history has been made with the brilliant news that Longford’s James Abankwah is selected for the forthcoming Republic of Ireland Senior squad UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League
A product of the Longford League with Melview FC, the outstanding Abankwah will travel with the Irish squad to Plovdiv, Bulgaria for the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off on Thursday, March 20, with kick-off at 7.45pm (Irish Time). They will then return to Dublin to face Bulgaria in the second leg at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, March 23, with kick-off at 7.45pm, to decide Ireland's UEFA Nations League fate. A win over the two legs will see Hallgrímsson's side secure their League B status.
Defender Abankwah, who won the FAI Cup with St. Patrick's Athletic in 2021, gets the nod after his impressive form since his move to Watford in the English Championship on loan from Italian club Udinese.
Republic of Ireland Squad - UEFA Nations League
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, on loan from AFC Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Standard Liége, on loan from Southampton).
Defenders: Jake O'Brien (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), James Abankwah (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)
Attackers: Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).
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