Overview
- The 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers academy midfielder will travel to Montreal with the Republic of Ireland squad as a training player and is not in the matchday selection, with his July move to Red Bull Salzburg already confirmed by his club.
- The travelling party features a heavy League of Ireland presence, with reporting showing 17 of the 22-man squad came through or played in the domestic league and that number rises when training players are included.
- St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Kian Leavy has been added to the travelling group and could win his first senior cap, while Matt Healy and other home-based players have also been promoted into the squad.
- Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson said he opposes a unilateral player boycott of upcoming fixtures and warned that non-participation could carry sporting penalties such as relegation in the Nations League as the FAI holds meetings to consider protest-driven options.
- The training-player role is designed to educate top prospects without awarding caps, and O'Dwyer will link up with Ireland’s under-17s after the Canada window, a pathway move that also helps secure his international allegiance ahead of senior development.