Harry Arter, left, and Enda Stevens pictured at the FAI National Training Centre, Dublin, in March 2019. INPHO/MORGAN TREACY
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has flagged an international recall for James McCarthy and Harry Arter as he hopes for more competition for places in his senior Ireland squad. Kenny is now is able to properly plan for the start of his career as Republic of Ireland manager after UEFA confirmed the date for the Euro 2020 playoff in Slovakia, on Oct 8, after two games in the Nations League in September. Kenny has been unable to attend games but the return of the EPL has been welcome. In a recent FAI TV interview Kenny said: ‘‘The squad is there on merit but it’s great to have players available for selection and increase the competition, James McCarthy is an exceptional talent, the fact that he has played 22 games for Crystal Palace this year, we want to increase our options and if he can get a run of games without injury that would be great for him. Harry Arter did not feature in the qualifying campaign, apart from a few minutes away to Gibraltar. Harry has been in the system since the under 16’s with Ireland, he is having a good season with Fulham and we will see how they go between now and the end of the season, whether they get promoted or not.”
-- Sean Creedon
