Ireland boss Hallgrimsson hopes players not in squad can switch off and recharge

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson hopes those players who have been left out of his squad for the June friendlies will use their summer break to fully “switch off” and come back refreshed for the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hallgrimsson had already indicated he would not bring many Sky Bet Championship players into the group, with the fixtures against Senegal and Luxembourg coming a month after the end of the regular season.

Instead, with one eye on the future, Crystal Palace midfielder Killian Phillips, Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan, Reims youngster John Joe Patrick Finn and Tottenham goalkeeper Josh Keeley have all been handed call-ups with the chance of a first senior cap.

Midfielder Josh Cullen – part of Burnley’s promotion-winning squad – is one of a handful of regulars given extra time off.

Preston’s Robbie Brady has, though, been drafted in given the lack of options at left-back, with Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary and midfielder Jason Knight also part of a 24-man squad announced on Wednesday morning.

“This June window has been tough or tricky for Ireland in the past,” said Hallgrimsson, whose side play their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier against Hungary in Dublin on September 6.

“I would guess the reason is that, after a long season – like in the Championship, playing two games every week and a lot of matches in the end of season – players are tired, both physically and mentally.

“After the season they switch off and then just to keep fitness level for a month until two friendlies is tricky and tough, but I think also mentally it is tough for them.

“So what we want now, most of all, is that these players take a good off season, come flying in pre-season and in September we will benefit from that rest.”

Hallgrimsson told a press conference: “There has been a lot of talk about the load on players. We try to kind of adjust to that, so we opted to limit the number of Championship players in this squad.

“All of these Championship players want to come, that’s not an issue. I know some would be unhappy not to be in the squad, but that is why we did it.”

Everton defender Jake O’Brien, who has been struggling with a knee injury, is included along with captain Seamus Coleman and Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics, another player working his way back to full fitness following ankle surgery.

Centre-back Andrew Omobamidele comes in again, having impressed in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg, where he is on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Hallgrimsson hopes the four uncapped players can take their opportunity, should it come along.

Spanish-born midfielder Finn – who started his career in Real Madrid’s academy – has previously represented the Republic at under-19 level.

Phillips, 23, has spent the campaign on loan in Scotland with St Mirren, while Keeley has been at Leyton Orient, the League One side having gone on to make the play-offs.

Honohan helped Shamrock Rovers reach the knockout stages of the Conference League for the first time and is the only current League of Ireland player in the squad.

“One of his biggest attributes is that he is a versatile player,” said Hallgrimsson.

“We want to see him in our environment with mostly Premier League players so we can evaluate him – that will be exciting.”