Northern Ireland Under-21s boss Tommy Wright has named his squad for a friendly against Portugal’s U21s next month.
Wright’s side are set to take on the Portuguese in Estoril on Thursday 3 June (7.30pm CET kick-off). The venue is Estádio António Coimbra da Mota.
The U21s boss has chosen a 21-strong squad to make the trip, which will act as preparation for Euro qualifiers this autumn.
His panel shows several changes from the one chosen for Euro qualifiers against Germany and Latvia at the end of March.
Wright said: “This is a great opportunity to play against a strong nation. It’s a game where the players will be able to test themselves.
“It’s a difficult time to assemble a squad given it’s the end of the season. A few players who might have been called up have already booked holidays. However, it will give players who have previously been on the periphery of the squad an opportunity to get minutes against quality opposition.”
Receiving a U21s call-up for the first time is 18-year-old Tottenham Hotspur attacker George Feeney, who has previously played for his country at U16, U17 and U19 level.
Rangers goalkeeper Mason Munn returns after missing the games in March. And Wolverhampton Wanderers keeper Josh Gracey, Bangor defender Harry Lynch and Larne defender Logan Wallace, who have been in previous squads but have yet to make their U21 debuts, have been named in the panel, too.
Another returnee is Larne midfielder Dylan Sloan, who has not featured in a U21s squad since last September, chiefly due to injury.
Goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley (Everton) and defenders Josh Briggs (West Ham United) and Matthew Orr (Nottingham Forest), who were all in the panel back in the spring, are not available due to injury.
Defender Shea Kearney (Dunfermline Athletic) and Cole Brannigan (Aston Villa) are unavailable, while goalkeeper Stephen McMullan (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town) is not included this time.
Northern Ireland’s Under-21s currently sit third in Group F in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage. They have 10 points after winning three, drawing one and losing three in their seven group games to date.
Germany top the group with 18 points from seven matches. Greece also have 18 points, however the Germans have a better goal difference.
Northern Ireland’s U21s will complete their qualification campaign this autumn with games against Malta away (26 September), Georgia at home (1 October) and Greece at home (6 October).
The U21s squad for the friendly against Portugal is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Mason Munn (Rangers), Francis Hurl (Huddersfield Town), Josh Gracey (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Defenders – Michael Forbes (West Ham United), Harry Lynch (Bangor), Logan Wallace (Larne), Sam Inwood (Bolton Wanderers), Sean Brown (Linfield), Conor Barr (Derry City), Jonny Russell (Crawley Town), Bayley McCann (Doncaster Rovers).
Midfielders – Callum Burnside (Rangers), Ryan Donnelly (Leicester City), Sam Glenfield (Waterford), Darren Robinson (Doncaster Rovers), Dylan Sloan (Larne).
Forwards – Aodhan Doherty (Blackburn Rovers), Eoin Kenny (Dundalk), Makenzie Kirk (Portsmouth), Devlan Moses (Sheffield Wednesday), George Feeney (Tottenham Hotspur).
