Dawson Devoy Leads Ireland Against Canada in Montreal
Dawson Devoy will stride out in Montreal tonight carrying more than the captain’s armband of Bohemians. He carries a marker for the League of Ireland itself.
The 24-year-old midfielder, drafted straight in after missing the Qatar win due to club duty, starts for the Republic of Ireland against World Cup co-hosts Canada at Saputo Stadium. When he steps onto the pitch, he will become the first current League of Ireland player to feature for the senior side since Jack Byrne in November 2020 – a three-and-a-half-year wait finally snapped.
This is not a token gesture. Devoy is thrown straight into the engine room, partnering Conor Coventry in central midfield in one of six changes made by Heimir Hallgrimsson from last Thursday’s friendly victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Around him, the team has a fresh, experimental feel.
Umeh handed first start
On one flank of Ireland’s new-look attack, the future gets its first real audition. Jaden Umeh, the 18-year-old Benfica winger who caught the eye off the bench against Qatar, is trusted from the start for the first time at senior level.
He will operate in support of centre forward Troy Parrott, with Chiedozie Ogbene offering pace and direct running from the other side. It is a front line built to run, stretch and harry, rather than simply hold and recycle.
Behind them, the shape stiffens into a five-man defensive unit. Corrie Ndaba, another recent debutant, moves straight into the starting XI at left wing-back after his first senior appearance in the Qatar game. Nathan Collins anchors the back line as captain, flanked by Séamus Coleman, Jake O'Brien and James Abankwah, who collects just his fourth cap but already looks part of the long-term plan.
Mark Travers gets the gloves in goal, with established number one Caoimhín Kelleher among several players rested after the Aviva outing. Hallgrimsson has chosen to use this late-night kick-off to widen his options and test his depth against higher-calibre opposition.
Canada roll out the stars
There will be no gentle easing-in from the hosts. Canada, co-hosts of the next World Cup and eager to sharpen their edge on home soil, name a strong side.
Maxime Crepeau starts in goal behind a back four of Alistair Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius and Richie Laryea. The midfield carries real bite and control: Tajon Buchanan offers width and incision, Stephen Eustaquio wears the captain’s armband and dictates from deep, with Ismael Kone and Liam Millar adding energy and running.
Up front, the threat is obvious. Jonathan David and Cyle Larin form a proven partnership, capable of punishing even brief lapses in concentration.
For Ireland, this is more than a friendly in the small hours – kick-off comes at 12.45am Irish time. It is a stress test of emerging talent, a night where Devoy, Umeh and Ndaba step out of the shadows and into the spotlight against World Cup-level opposition.
If they can handle the noise of Montreal and the weight of Canada’s front line, Hallgrimsson may leave Saputo Stadium with more than just a result. He might leave with the core of Ireland’s next generation firmly in place.
