Northern Ireland Under-21s manager Tommy Wright has named his squad for U21 Euro 2025 qualifiers against England’s U21s and Ukraine’s U21s in Ballymena next month.
Wright has chosen a 23-strong panel for the games at Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday 6 September and Tuesday 10 September which both have 7.45pm kick-offs.
Northern Ireland’s U21s currently sit fourth in Group F, while Ukraine top the group with six wins out of six. England also have 18 points – from seven games. They were defeated 3-2 by the Ukrainians last October.
In their most recent outing, back in March, Wright’s side produced a fine display to defeat Serbia 2-1 in a Euro qualifier played at the Gradski Stadion in Dubocica.
His squad for the game against England on 6 September shows eight changes from the 20-strong panel that faced the Serbs.
Three of the four defenders who started in Dubocica are unavailable through injury: Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion), Craig Farquhar (Crystal Palace) and Odhran Casey (Cliftonville).
However, Wright is still hopeful that McConville may recover from a hamstring injury in time to play some part in the match against Ukraine on 10 September.
The U21s boss has drafted in some experienced replacements in Nottingham Forest defender Aaron Donnelly and Michael Forbes, who is currently on loan at Bristol Rovers from West Ham United. Both missed the game against the Serbs.
He has also called up Cliftonville defender Shea Kearney to the U21s for the first time, while stepping up from the U19s is defender Tom Atcheson, who is currently on loan at National League North side Marine from Blackburn Rovers.
Celtic goalkeeper Josh Clarke returns after missing the qualifier in March, while midfielders Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Barry Baggley (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town) and JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City) are also back in the fold after missing out last time.
Back in the U21s panel following a lengthy sojourn is Gillingham midfielder Euan Williams, who has been dogged by injury in recent seasons, while striker Makenzie Kirk will be aiming to make his U21s debut after impressing with St Johnstone following his move from fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
And also new to Wright’s squad is Larne forward Matty Lusty.
Regular U21s striker Ciaran McGuckin (Rotherham United) is injured, while experienced defender Sam McClelland (St Johnstone) is crocked, too.
Also missing out this time are Linfield midfielder Josh Archer, new Larne striker Benji Magee and Glentoran midfielder Charlie Lindsay.
England are top seeds in Group F in the qualifying series for UEFA U21 Euro 2025. The group also features Ukraine, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
Northern Ireland were beaten 1-0 by Ukraine in their second group game last September. They also suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg at Mourneview Park in Lurgan in their group opener that month.
Wright’s side picked up their first points in October with a 1-0 away victory over Azerbaijan, which was followed by a 2-1 defeat against Serbia at Mourneview.
In November they were beaten 3-0 by England at Goodison Park in Liverpool.
Northern Ireland U21s will complete their Group F campaign this autumn with the two games in Ballymena next month and matches against Azerbaijan (home; venue TBC) and Luxembourg (away) in October.
Tickets for the England game in Ballymena are available at irishfa.com/tickets.
The Northern Ireland U21s squad for the upcoming matches is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Stephen McMullan (Caernarfon Town, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Pierce Charles(Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Celtic).
Defenders – Sean Stewart and Shea Kearney (both Cliftonville), Carl Johnston (Fleetwood Town), Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City), Michael Forbes (Bristol Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest), Jonny Russell (Glentoran), Tom Atcheson (Marine, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Ethan McGee (Linfield).
Midfielders – Patrick Kelly (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Barry Baggley (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Darren Robinson (Hartlepool United, on loan from Derby County), JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City), Charlie Allen (Linfield), Euan Williams (Gillingham).
Forwards – Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest), Matty Lusty (Larne), Makenzie Kirk (St Johnstone).
