Sheffield United defender secures first international call-up as teammate also selected
Sheffield United duo Liam Kitching and Tom Cannon have been named in the latest Republic of Ireland squad.
Defender Liam Kitching has secured his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad alongside Sheffield United teammate Tom Cannon ahead of the upcoming international break.
The duo are among 26 players selected by head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson for his side’s UEFA Nations League clashes with Kosovo, Israel (twice) and Austria.
Ireland, who are competing in Group B3, will face Kosovo away from home in their opening game on Thursday, September 24, before taking on Israel, also away from home, on Sunday, September 27.
Hallgrímsson’s troops will then briefly return to home soil to take on Austria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday, October 1, before bringing their international break to a close with their ‘home’ clash against Israel, which is set to be played behind closed doors at Backa Topola in Serbia on Sunday, October 4.
Their Nations League campaign will come to an end with a further two games in November, when they take on Austria (A) and Kosovo (H), respectively.
Cannon has made a solid start to the season for the Blades, scoring three goals in his first nine appearances across all competitions, while Kitching, who joined the club on loan from Coventry City earlier this season, has started the Blades’ last three Championship matches, doing enough to earn himself his maiden call-up.
After making his first two appearances for his country in 2024, Cannon found himself back in the frame earlier this year, and he plundered his first goals for his country in June, scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Grenada in an international friendly.
The Blades striker is one of seven attackers Hallgrímsson has included in his 26-man squad, with former United loanee Chiedozie Ogbene, who is currently on loan at Lincoln City, also making the cut.
Fellow former Blade John Egan has also been included in the squad.