Sports
Finn Azaz starts for Ireland as John O’Shea makes six changes for Hungary friendly
Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz will make his first start for Ireland in tonight’s Lansdowne Road friendly against Hungary.
Interim head coach John O’Shea has made six changes from the defeat last March to Switzerland, with Azaz, Caoimhín Kelleher, Shane Duffy, Matt Doherty, Will Smallbone and Adam Idah all coming into the starting 11.
Azaz, who made his senior debut off the bench in March, comes into the starting line-up while Norwich City centre-half Duffy makes his first Irish start since last November.
Idah will lead the line fresh from hitting the winner in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Rangers late last month, with Szmodics coming into the game after a stunning return of 27 Championship goals last term for Blackburn.
Liverpool ‘keeper Kelleher will win his 13th cap tonight as he comes in for the injured Gavin Bazunu, with O’Shea looking for his first win as interim boss against Euro 2024-bound Hungary, after a draw and a defeat in the March window.
Ireland (v Hungary): Kelleher; Coleman, Duffy, O’Shea; Doherty, Cullen, Smallbone, Brady; Azaz, Szmodics, Idah.