Soccer

Michael O’Neill confirms Northern Ireland squad for Euros

Wigan striker Will Grigg is in the 23 while Liam Boyce and Billy McKay miss out

Will Grigg of Northern Ireland celebrates after scoring during the international friendly game between Northern Ireland and Belarus in Belfast. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Will Grigg of Northern Ireland celebrates after scoring during the international friendly game between Northern Ireland and Belarus in Belfast. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Sat May 28 2016 - 13:04

Will Grigg's place in Northern Ireland's 23-man Euro 2016 squad has been confirmed, but Liam Boyce, Billy McKay, Daniel Lafferty, Michael Smith and Ben Reeves have all been left out by manager Michael O'Neill.

The announcement for the country’s first finals squad in 30 years was made at the Titanic Belfast museum on Saturday lunchtime, though the unlucky quintet were informed of their fate earlier this week and missed Friday’s 3-0 victory over Belarus despite being named in the 28-player group for that game.

Grigg, whose 25 goals fired Wigan to the Sky Bet League One title, opened his international account in that triumph and has earned the nod over Wigan team-mate McKay and Boyce, despite the latter scoring 20 times for Ross County last term.

Lee Hodson has been preferred to one-cap right-back Smith while fellow full-back Lafferty and midfielder Reeves have suffered after not featuring regularly for their Championship clubs.

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QPR’s Conor Washington has been included having scored twice in his three caps to date while Aaron Hughes, 36, will arrive in France with a century of international appearances should he feature in Slovakia next week.