International call up for McCann

Chris is one of three new players in the squad that will be playing two UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifying games this month against Montenegro and Bulgaria. The first of these games, against Montenegro, will be played in the Podgorica Stadium on Friday 16^th November after which they will return to play Bulgaria at the Lissywoollen Stadium in Athlone on the following Tuesday.

The team us usually under the stewardship of former QPR player Don Givens, but he's currently taking the senior squad on a caretaker basis so Sean McCaffrey will be in charge of the Under-21s.

Joe O'Toole of Watford and Blackburn's Keith Treacy are the other newcomers and Givens said of Chris: "Chris McCann is another midfielder new to the squad. He has been involved with Ireland at other age levels but this is his first call-up to the Under-21 panel. He is a good player and deserves a chance at this level."

Many Clarets have been bemused at his inability to get into this squad previously, but it is a new era for the Republic and he's finally got his place. Best of luck Chris.