Northern Ireland Names New Squad for Nations League Matches Against Ukraine and Hungary
Northern Ireland has announced its squad for the final Nations League matches against Ukraine and Hungary, with Manchester United goalkeeper Dermot Mee and Portsmouth forward Eoin Kenny receiving their first call-ups. These games, scheduled for November, mark a critical stage in the competition for Michael O’Neill’s team.
Mee, aged 23, previously represented Northern Ireland at underage levels and will compete with first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, despite not seeing any competitive action for United this season. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kenny, son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen, joined Portsmouth from Dundalk in July and has made one league appearance for the Championship club before earning his inaugural call-up. His selection comes as Dion Charles, Eoin Toal, and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell have withdrawn from the squad.
The team will also miss Sunderland defender Dan Ballard, who sustained a hamstring injury during the September victory over Georgia. Midfielders Ali McCann and Jamie McDonnell are absent due to injuries, while Liverpool’s Conor Bradley continues to be a long-term absentee after not playing since January.
O’Neill’s squad remains unbeaten at the top of League B2, with a chance to secure promotion to the top tier for the first time. Northern Ireland will face Ukraine at Windsor Park on Saturday, November 14, at 19:45 GMT, before traveling to Hungary for their final match on November 17. Both matches will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
With an impressive defensive record, Northern Ireland stands out as the only team in the Nations League this year that has yet to concede a goal. Shea Charles scored a last-minute winner against Georgia in September, adding to the team’s robust performance, which includes a scoreless draw at home with Hungary and a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine.
If they manage to finish at the top of their group, Northern Ireland would not only gain promotion to League A but would also secure a strong position for a play-off spot in Euro 2028.
Northern Ireland Squad
Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles (QPR – on loan from Manchester City), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Dermot Mee (Manchester United)
Defenders: Trai Hume (Sunderland), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Michael Forbes (Dundee)
Midfielders: Shea Charles (Fulham), Ethan Galbraith (Stoke City), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday – on loan from Liverpool), Paul Smyth (QPR), Isaac Price (West Brom), Justin Devenny (Stoke City), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End)
Forwards: Jamie Donley (Luton Town – on loan from Spurs), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal), Eoin Kenny (Portsmouth), Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Braiden Graham (Everton).
