Parrott in, no room for Long as Ireland squad for Denmark named

Few surprises.

Mick McCarthy has named his squad for a crucial few days in Irish football, for different reasons. The friendly against New Zealand in the Aviva Stadium is not that big a game, but it does provide Mick McCarthy with the chance to blood some young players and also to provide crucial minutes ahead of the biggest game in Irish football in two years, since we lost to Denmark in Dublin. It just happens to be the same fixture this time around. There's no place for veteran striker Shane Long, who has fallen down the pecking order at Southampton and even further down the rungs at international level, while James McCarthy has been left out for 'personal reasons'. QPR's Ryan Manning will also be disappointed not to make the final cut, and Seamus Coleman, suspended for that Denmark tie, is not included. The potential for Troy Parrott's senior debut will come, as the Spurs starlet is rewarded for his incredible form this season with a berth, along with Aaron Connolly. Darren Randolph also makes the final cut after a worrying injury in the last few weeks. https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1192438921642356736