Jack Moylan got a hat-trick in his debut and Tom Cannon scored his first two international goals as The Republic of Ireland had a comfortable 5-0 win over Grenada in a friendly in Murcia on Saturday.
The game, watched by an attendance of 800, capped off what has been a hugely encouraging training camp for Ireland, with the cameos of half-time substitutes Cannon, Andrew Moran and Will Ferry raising the tempo in Murcia after a first half that provided plenty of chances but not enough end product against what was admittedly very limited opposition.
Moylan, who joined English club Lincoln from Sheblourne three years ago, becomes the first Irish player since David Kelly, against Israel in 1987, to score a hat-trick in his debut. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson gave first caps to seven new players on Saturday: Moylan, Josh Keeley, Tayo Adaramola, Will Ferry, Rory Finneran, Aidomo Emakhu and Millenic Alli.
Then on Sunday Heimir showed that he is willing to try out more new talent in the upcoming friendlies when the included nine newcomers in the squads to play Qatar in Dublin on May 28 and Canada in Montreal on June 6. The squad features a strong domestic contingent, with four League of Ireland players called up. Shamrock Rovers duo Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan alongside Bohemians midfielder Dawson Devoy and Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann. Seamus Coleman, who announced his club retirement from Everton last week, is included and other experienced players included are: Caoimhin Kelleher, Nathan Collins, Liam Scales, Troy Parrott and Finn Azaz. Uncapped players are: Jaden Umeh (Benfica), Corrie Ndaba (Lecce), Mason Melia (Spurs), Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough) and Alex Murphy (Newcastle United) while Joe Hodge (Tondela), who had previously been on the bench for the Ireland senior side, also reports for duty.
