Devoy Leads Six-Change Ireland Against Canada in Montreal

The Republic of Ireland step into Montreal with a very different look tonight, as Bohemians captain Dawson Devoy and teenage winger Jaden Umeh headline six changes for the friendly against World Cup co-hosts Canada at Saputo Stadium.

Devoy, fresh from domestic duty and absent from last Thursday’s win over Qatar at Aviva Stadium, walks straight into central midfield alongside Conor Coventry. His selection carries weight: at 24, he becomes the first current League of Ireland player to feature for the senior side since Jack Byrne in November 2020. A gap finally closed.

Around him, this is a team picked with one eye on the future and another on the intensity Canada are certain to bring.

Umeh, just 18 and on the books at Benfica, made his debut off the bench in that Qatar victory. Tonight, he jumps into the starting XI for the first time, operating in support of centre forward Troy Parrott. He will line up alongside Chiedozie Ogbene, whose direct running and work rate give Ireland a sharp edge on the break. Youth and pace, asked to trouble a Canadian back line that includes Alistair Johnston and Derek Cornelius.

There is change in the rearguard too. Corrie Ndaba, another who tasted senior international football for the first time against Qatar, starts at left wing-back. He slots into a five-man defence that features captain Nathan Collins, Séamus Coleman, Jake O'Brien and James Abankwah. For Abankwah, this is cap number four, another step in a quietly building international career.

Behind them, Mark Travers gets the nod in goal. Regular number one Caoimhín Kelleher is one of several players excused after the Qatar game by manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who uses this second friendly window to stretch his squad and test its depth against higher-calibre opposition.

Canada, co-hosts of the next World Cup and eager to sharpen their own plans, field a strong side. Maxime Crepeau starts in goal, protected by a back line of Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Cornelius and Richie Laryea. In midfield, captain Stephen Eustaquio anchors alongside Ismael Kone, with Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar offering width and energy. Up front, the proven pairing of Jonathan David and Cyle Larin will ask serious questions of Ireland’s reshaped defence.

Kick-off comes at 12.45am Irish time. A late start, but an early chance for Ireland’s next wave to show they belong on this kind of stage.