West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph named in Republic of Ireland squad

Darren Randolph

 

Darren Randolph has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for two end-of-season international matches.

The goalkeeper, who has 50 senior caps to his name, has been called up by manager Stephen Kenny for friendly meetings with Andorra and Hungary.

Ireland will travel to Barcelona to take on Andorra at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Thursday 3 June at 5pm BST, before heading to Budapest to tackle Hungary at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion on Tuesday 8 June at 7pm BST.

The 34-year-old, who recently returned to Hammers action in the 3-1 Premier League win at West Bromwich Albion on 19 May, made his debut in a friendly win over Oman at Craven Cottage in September 2012 and has been his country’s No1 since October 2015.

He starred for the Boys in Green at UEFA Euro 2016, keeping a vital clean sheet as Ireland beat Italy 1-0 to reach the Round of 16, where he produced another superb display in his country’s 2-1 defeat by host nation and eventual runners-up France.

After missing Ireland’s three international matches through injury, including their opening two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeats by Serbia and Luxembourg, Randolph will hope to take his place between the sticks again against Andorra and Hungary.

Ireland have not qualified for UEFA Euro 2020, so Kenny’s squad will return to World Cup qualifying action in September, when they travel to holders Portugal before hosting Azerbaijan and Serbia in Dublin.

 

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