Aaron Connolly has been fast-tracked into the Ireland senior team after scoring an incredible brace in his first ever Premier League start today.
The 19-year-old replaces Ronan Curtis after the Portsmouth man picked up a hamstring injury - leaving Mick McCarthy with little choice but to promote the forward from Stephen Kenny's U21 squad.
Also called up was Derrick Williams after Blackburn duo Greg Cunningham and Darragh Lenihan suffered knee injuries.
“Aaron and Derrick will join up with the squad on Sunday after injuries to Ronan, Greg and Darragh,” McCarthy told FAI.ie
“I have spoken to Aaron and Derrick and they are looking forward to meeting up with us. Aaron enjoyed his full debut for Brighton and we have been keeping a close eye on his progress this season.
“Derrick was in the extended 41-man squad for these games and playing regularly for Blackburn so this is his chance now.”
The Ireland squad meet on Sunday with training getting underway at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday ahead of Thursday’s departure to Tbilisi.
Connolly made his first Premier League start for Brighton and Hove Albion against Tottenham Hotspur today, and has taken the opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
The Galway man scored his first in the first-half with a tidy finish before scoring a cracking second goal later in the game.
Already 2-0 up, he picked up possession on the left flank, brought it into the box and cut onto his right foot before bending it into the bottom right corner to seal victory for Graham Potter's men.
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