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Ceadach O’Neill withdraws from Northern Ireland squad

Ceadach O’Neill has withdrawn through injury from Northern Ireland’s football squad before the games against Ukraine and Hungary. The 18-year-old Arsenal forward joins several unavailable teammates as Michael O’Neill prepares for the closing fixtures. Northern Ireland hosts Ukraine in Belfast on 14 November before travelling to Budapest on 17 November.

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Illustrating withdrawal from the squad, a young footballer in a green training top packs his bag in a changing room, seen from behind.

O’Neill leaves the squad through injury

Ceadach O’Neill, a forward at England’s Arsenal football club, has withdrawn through injury from Northern Ireland’s squad for the matches against Ukraine and Hungary. The 18-year-old will miss the forthcoming international double-header. Manager Michael O’Neill described him as a valuable member of the squad in the previous window, expressed disappointment at being without him and wished him a swift recovery. The nature of the injury and a return date have not been specified.[1], [2]

The withdrawal comes early in the forward’s senior career. He made his first senior international appearance against Guinea in June, then came on as a late substitute against Georgia and Ukraine during the previous international window. At club level, he recently made his first senior Arsenal appearance in the starting 11 for the League Cup tie against Fleetwood Town, another English club. He had joined the international group after those first appearances for club and country.[1]

Other injuries reduce the available squad

Northern Ireland are already without defender Dan Ballard of England’s Sunderland, Eoin Toal and midfielders Ali McCann and Jamie McDonnell through injury. Conor Bradley of England’s Liverpool remains a long-term absentee. There are also first call-ups for goalkeeper Dermot Mee of Manchester United and forward Eoin Kenny of Portsmouth, both English clubs. The new arrivals are part of the squad preparing for the final games of the campaign alongside the remaining experienced players.[1]

Belfast and Budapest host the final fixtures

Northern Ireland hosts Ukraine at Windsor Park in Belfast on 14 November before travelling to Hungary’s capital, Budapest, for the 17 November fixture. Promotion from League B to League A, the higher tier of the European Nations League competition, remains possible. Michael O’Neill said his side remained well placed in the group and had much to play for. He highlighted the importance of the home match and described the trip to Hungary as another challenging assignment, saying the squad wanted to build on its work and finish strongly.[1]

References

  1. News sourceBBC SportCeadach O’Neill withdraws from Northern Ireland squad through injury↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceIrish Football AssociationCeadach O’Neill withdraws from Northern Ireland squad through injury↩

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