Rory Finneran's First Call-Up to Republic of Ireland Squad

Rory Finneran’s rise gathered real pace this week, as the Newcastle United midfielder earned his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their friendly against Grenada.

The 18-year-old has linked up with Heimir Hallgrimsson’s group at their training camp in Murcia, Spain, ahead of Saturday’s game at the Estadio Nueva Condomina (17:00 BST). For a player who only joined Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers earlier this year, it marks a rapid step up from youth promise to full international recognition.

Finneran has already worn green at under-17 and under-19 level, but this is different. This is the senior dressing room, a first taste of the full setup, and a chance to plant a flag in Hallgrimsson’s long-term plans.

His opportunity comes amid a reshuffle. Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Ipswich Town winger Kasey McAteer have both withdrawn through injury, opening a path for the teenager to be drafted in. What might have been a routine camp has quickly turned into a window of opportunity for one of Ireland’s most highly regarded young midfielders.

There has been change at the other end of the age spectrum too. Benfica attacker Jaden Umeh, who had also been in line for a first senior involvement, will not travel after his club pulled him out of the squad.

Because the Grenada friendly falls outside Fifa’s official international window, clubs are under no obligation to release their players. Benfica have chosen to keep Umeh in Lisbon, with their under-19 side facing a must-win clash against Famalicao on Saturday as they chase qualification for the Uefa Youth League.

Umeh underlined his importance to that cause with two goals in a 6-2 win over UD Leiria on Sunday, and the Portuguese club want him available as they fight to secure their place.

“Benfica are still fighting in their U19s to be in the Uefa Youth League,” Hallgrimsson said. “The plan was for them to have secured that by now, but unfortunately, results this weekend didn't go their way, so Jaden still has one more game to play.

“We knew beforehand that this was a possibility, even if it was unlikely.

“It is unlucky for him that the results went that way, as we were looking forward to working with him, but we understand the club's position and will have to wait for a future window to bring him into the environment.”

So Umeh must wait. Finneran does not.

While one teenager stays at club level to chase European qualification, another steps into the senior international arena, handed a chance that arrived earlier than expected. How he handles this week in Spain may say plenty about where Ireland’s next midfield belongs.