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Callum O'Dowda in Ireland squad to face Netherlands

Callum O'Dowda of Oxford holds off pressure from Sam Wedgbury of Forest Green
Image: Callum O'Dowda (right) is the only uncapped player in the Republic of Ireland squad

Oxford's Callum O'Dowda has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly against Netherlands on May 27.

The U21 winger, who helped Oxford win promotion to League One this season, is the only uncapped player in Martin O'Neill's initial 35-man party for the Dublin game.

O'Neill is due to name his 23-man squad for Euro 2016 the following day ahead of a May 31 friendly against Belarus in Cork.

Shay Given, Marc Wilson, Jeff Hendrick, Harry Arter, Jonathan Walters, and David McGoldrick all return to the squad after missing March games against Switzerland and Slovakia.

O'Neill said: "Everything now is about preparing for Euro 2016 and that is why we wanted to play a team of the calibre of the Netherlands as we aim to make the most of our time ahead of the departure for France.

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Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill believes his Republic of Ireland assistant Roy Keane would be a great fit to take over from Ronny Deila at Celtic

"This game at the Aviva Stadium is very important in terms of building our match sharpness and getting into tournament mode.

"It is also an opportunity to play in front of the Ireland supporters, who have been terrific, at the Aviva Stadium before leaving for the Euros. That is something that means a lot to the players."

Also See:

Squad: Given, Randolph, Forde, Westwood, Coleman, Christie, McShane, Clark, Keogh, O'Shea, Pearce, Duffy, Wilson, Ward, McGeady, McClean, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Meyler, Quinn, Gibson, Arter, Hoolahan, O'Kane, Pilkington, Brady, Walters, Hayes, O'Dowda, Keane, Long, McGoldrick, Doyle, Murphy.

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