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Ceadach O'Neill (right), with Northern Ireland senior men's manager Micheal O’Neill at the final whistle after defeating Guinea 1-0 during an international friendly at the Estadio Ciudad de La Línea, Spain. Photo: William Cherry/Presseye
CEADACH O’Neill’s name may be the last of the 28 selected by Michael O’Neill for their quadruple of matches in the Nations League - but he’s the first that many will have looked out for.
The exciting Arsenal prospect is the latest to have been the subject of ‘tug-of-war’ talk between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for his international allegiance.
The 18-year-old from Kilrea in county Derry played for NI in summer friendlies against Guinea and France before the World Cup.
However, until he makes a competitive appearance then his future remained uncertain.
His inclusion in the squad for the League B2 games away (and home) to Georgia, home to Hungary, and against Ukraine in a neutral venue for Slovakia suggests that he remains committed to NI, for whom he has played at underage levels.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill was delighted with his young side’s performances
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill was delighted with his young side’s performances (Nick Potts/PA)
It is understood that boss O’Neill went to London recently to meet his teenage namesake and Ceadach - a nephew of former Derry GAA stars Paddy and Eoin Bradley - has been persuaded not to switch, despite interest from the FAI in his services.
In all the NI squad shows nine changes and additions from the 23-player panel chosen for those friendlies against Guinea and France in early summer.
Returning to the fold are Blackpool goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Wycombe Wanderers ‘keeper Conor Hazard.
Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring Northern Ireland’s second against Luxembourg
Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring Northern Ireland’s second against Luxembourg (Liam McBurney/PA)
Three defenders are back too: Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard, Portsmouth’s versatile Terry Devlin, and Bolton Wanderers centre half Eoin Toal.
Another returnee is Preston North End midfielder Jordan Thompson, who last featured in the senior men’s squad in the defeat to Sweden in a friendly in March 2025.
Also back in the fold is Blackpool striker Dion Charles, who missed the friendlies in June.
Experienced Hull City defender Paddy McNair has recovered from a foot injury that has kept him out of the Premier League club’s most recent games to take his place in O’Neill’s panel.
In addition there’s a call-up for Dundee United defender Michael Forbes, who earned his sole senior international cap against Finland in 2023. The former West Ham United defender signed for the Tangerines from the Hammers back in June.
Retaining their places in the panel are exciting young attackers O’Neill and Braiden Graham, who were both in the squad for the games against Guinea and France.
Arsenal forward O’Neill came off the bench in both friendlies to earn two senior caps, while 18-year-old Everton striker Graham is yet to make his senior debut.
Missing out this time are goalkeepers Luke Southwood (Blackpool) and Josh Clarke (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from Partick Thistle) along with Reading striker Jamie Reid. All are on the standby list for the games this month and next.
Preston North End midfielder Alistair McCann, who came on as a substitute in the win against Guinea and started the defeat against France back in June, is not available due to injury.
Others on the treatment table just now include Aberdeen midfielder Brad Lyons and Liverpool defender Conor Bradley.
The Northern Ireland squad has an average age of 24 and includes four teenagers and 17 players under the age of 25.
First up in League B Group 2 is an away game against Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday September 25 followed by a home encounter against Hungary in Belfast on Monday September 28.
Northern Ireland will be away again on Friday October 2 to take on Ukraine in Slovakia before facing Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday October 5.
Northern Ireland senior men’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Manchester City).
Defenders: Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume (both Sunderland), Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Michael Forbes (Dundee United).
Midfielders: Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny (both Stoke City), Shea Charles (Fulham), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool),
Forwards: Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Jamie Donley (Luton Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal).