Derby County Under-18s midfielder Cian Kelly-Caprani has been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-18 squad.


The second-year scholar, who scored in the Under-18s’ 3-0 Premier League - North victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday, is part of a 20-man squad named by Ireland coach Colin O’Brien.

Ireland’s youngsters will face back-to-back friendly matches against Hungary at the BVSC Stadion in Budapest on Tuesday 17th August (5pm kick-off) and Thursday 19th August (10am kick-off).

The games against Hungary will end an almost two year wait for an Irish Under-18 side to play international football.

Kelly-Caprani made 12 appearances for Derby’s Under-18s in his first year at the club in 2020/21 and was capped at Under-15 and Under-16 level for his country previously.

Republic of Ireland Under-18 Squad

Goalkeepers: Josh Clarke (Bournemouth), Owen Mason (Mansfield Town), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers).

Defenders: Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City), Sean Grehan (Bohemians), Cathal Heffernan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), Darragh Reilly (Sligo Rovers), David Toure (Shelbourne).

Midfielders: Billy Brooks (Lincoln City), Cian Coleman (Leeds United), Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Cian Kelly-Caprani (Derby County), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Cork City).

Forwards: Edwin Agbaje (Ipswich Town), Jad Hakiki (Shelbourne), Rio McEvoy (Bolton Wanderers), Ed McJannet (Luton Town), Dara McGuinness (Shamrock Rovers), Luke Pearce (Southampton).