West of Ireland links to Ireland's latest squad member
26 March 2023; Tom Cannon of Republic of Ireland during the Under-21 international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Iceland at Turners Cross in Cork. Photo by: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Republic of Ireland are currently on international duty, and a new squad member with west of Ireland roots is aiming to earn his first senior cap.
On Tuesday, interim boss John O’Shea picked up his first victory when his team defeated UEFA Euro 2024-bound Hungary in the Aviva Stadium.
Adam Idah put the Boys in Green ahead before Troy Parrott scored a last-minute winner to beat a 14-game unbeaten Hungarian side 2-1 in the friendly encounter.
To conclude the June window, Ireland will travel to Aveiro, Portugal, to play a star-studded Portuguese outfit next Tuesday, June 11.
Amongst the new faces in the Irish squad is Leicester City striker Tom Cannon.
Liverpool-born Cannon has strong west of Ireland roots with the 21-year-old having close connections in Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
"Absolutely delighted, buzzing to be here..."
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 30, 2024
Tom Cannon 🤝 First Ireland Camp 🇮🇪💚 pic.twitter.com/BC13tHzRoz
The Mayo link comes through relatives from Louisburgh and Balla while a grandmother is a native of Recess, Connemara.
Ex-Irish under-21 player Cannon, who appeared 13 times in the English Championship last season and achieved promotion with his club to the Premier League, did not come on in the Hungary contest but he could get an opportunity against Portugal.
The former Everton and Preston man dismissed reports that he would make the switch to England when he said, “I have always been committed to Ireland, hence why I am here”, during a recent press conference.
