- Darren Randolph named in 37-man Republic of Ireland squad for three June fixtures
- Boys in Green travel to the USA to face Mexico in a friendly international in New Jersey
- Ireland then return to Dublin to host Uruguay and then Austria in a vital World Cup qualifier
Darren Randolph has been included in Republic of Ireland’s 37-man squad for three fixtures to be played in early June.
The West Ham United goalkeeper will need to delay his summer holiday for the third year in succession after being picked for friendly internationals against Mexico and Uruguay and a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Austria.
The Boys in Green travel to New York on Monday 29 May before tackling Mexico at MetLife Stadium – the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets – in neighbouring New Jersey on Thursday 1 June.
Martin O’Neil’s squad will fly home the following day before hosting Uruguay at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday 4 June.
The third, final and most important of the three matches will take place at the same venue on Sunday 11 June, when Ireland host Austria.
Victory over the Austrians will put Randolph and company in a very strong position when it comes to World Cup qualifying Group D, with leaders Serbia hosting third place Wales in Belgrade on the same date.
Wins for Ireland and Serbia would put the pair seven points clear of their rivals on 14 points, with four rounds of matches left to play. The group winners qualify automatically, while the runners-up will go into a play-off. Republic of Ireland host Serbia in Dublin on 5 September.
Randolph has been part of O’Neil’s squad in each of the last two summers, sitting on the bench for the goalless friendly draw with England in June 2015, before keeping goal for his country at UEFA Euro 2016 a year ago.
In all, the 30-year-old Hammer has been capped 19 times since making his debut against Oman at Craven Cottage in September 2011.