With Heimir Hallgrímsson putting the finishing touches to his plans for Ireland’s upcoming Nations League campaign, a number of Irish-eligible players have caught the eye during the opening weeks of the new league season.
While the core of the squad is unlikely to change dramatically, several uncapped players have made strong starts to the campaign and could force their way into the manager’s thinking ahead of the squad announcement.
Here are five names who could be surprise inclusions.
Josh Key — Swansea City
Despite declaring for Ireland some time ago, Josh Key has yet to feature in any of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squads. The Torquay-born right-back, however, has made an encouraging start to the season with Swansea City and could provide a welcome solution to Ireland’s lack of natural options in the position.
The 26-year-old is an attack-minded full-back blessed with pace and the ability to contribute in the final third. Comfortable in both a back four and a back five, Key’s versatility could make him an attractive option for Hallgrímsson, particularly given Ireland’s tendency to switch between defensive systems.
With competition at right-back still far from settled, Key could find himself entering the conversation at just the right time.
Danny McNamara — Charlton Athletic
Another right-back who has started the season impressively is former Ireland underage international Danny McNamara.
It remains somewhat surprising that the 27-year-old is yet to make his senior debut, particularly given that he was a regular starter for Millwall during a period when Ireland were frequently forced to deploy the likes of Alan Browne and Jason Knight out of position at right-back under Stephen Kenny.
McNamara has settled quickly into life at Charlton and has played a key role in their excellent start to the Championship campaign. His experience, defensive reliability and ability to get forward make him a natural candidate to strengthen an area where Ireland have lacked genuine depth.
If his form continues, it may become increasingly difficult for Hallgrímsson to overlook him.
Armstrong Okoflex — Levski Sofia
After a somewhat stop-start beginning to his senior career with Celtic and West Ham United, Armstrong Okoflex appears to have found the consistency he was searching for since moving to Bulgaria.
The 24-year-old impressed with Botev Plovdiv before securing a move to eventual league champions Levski Sofia. His new side subsequently came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League group stage, with Okoflex emerging as one of the standout performers during their European qualifying campaign.
The winger has showcased his explosive pace, physical power and technical ability — a combination that could offer Ireland something different in the wide areas.
Ireland have no shortage of wingers, but few possess Okoflex’s blend of raw acceleration and directness. If he can maintain his current level of performance, a first senior call-up may not be far away.
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Trent Kone-Doherty — Molde
Since leaving Liverpool for Norway in February, Trent Kone-Doherty has begun to make a real impression at Molde.
The 20-year-old has produced several standout performances for a side currently sitting fourth in the Eliteserien and demonstrated his goalscoring instincts again last week, scoring a hat-trick against lower-league opposition.
While Kone-Doherty may not be the most physically imposing winger, he more than compensates with his quick feet, acceleration and ability to glide inside from the left. His willingness to take defenders on and attack spaces makes him an exciting prospect for the future.
At just 20, he is unlikely to be viewed as an immediate solution for Ireland, but with the senior side continuing to search for greater creativity and penetration in wide areas, his emergence in Norway is certainly worth monitoring.
Louie Barry — Sheffield Wednesday
Louie Barry may have slipped slightly under the radar following his impressive first half of the 2025/26 season with Stockport County, but the 23-year-old is now attempting to take the next step in his career with Sheffield United.
The former Barcelona and Aston Villa academy forward has already demonstrated his goalscoring ability at senior level and has the versatility to operate either as an inverted winger or through the middle.
Barry announced himself in emphatic fashion at the weekend, scoring twice as Sheffield Wednesday thrashed Burnley 7–2.
An Ireland call-up may have arrived sooner had injury not interrupted his excellent form last season, but he is certainly a player who remains on Hallgrímsson’s radar.
With Ireland still looking for additional attacking options capable of producing goals and unpredictability, Barry’s ability to play across the frontline could make him an intriguing option for the manager. Unfortunately, since writing, Louie Barry has picked a freak ankle injury and will miss three months.
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Could one of them make the cut?
None of these players are guaranteed to feature in Hallgrímsson’s next squad, but all five have made compelling starts to the season and possess qualities that could address some of Ireland’s current shortcomings.
With the Nations League providing another opportunity for the manager to assess his options, it would be no surprise to see one or two unfamiliar names included when the squad is finally announced.
