Our youthful and exciting Irish XI we want to see v Qatar tonight

Initially this fixture was intended to be part of a warm-up before the World Cup....

However, due to it being the end of the season for a majority of top-tier European leagues, where Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad is playing in, we still expect the Icelander to pick a strong team.

We have compiled the Ireland side we want to see selected, including heroes from previous campaigns and youthful players with high potential.

Our Ireland XI to face Qatar

Formation - 3-4-2-1

Although Hallgrimsson has opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation over the past year, this can't be the future of Irish football with the attacking talent coming through.

Ireland's previous outing, a 5-0 decimation of Grenada, however, saw a three-back formation, suggesting this is here to stay.

Goalkeeper: Caoimhín Kelleher

Kelleher is listed as only available for the Qatar fixture out of the two games Ireland will play this international window.

This makes Kelleher a fore-gone starter and will give the Cork man the send-off his season has deserved for club and country

Centre back: Dara O'Shea

O'Shea is another man who is listed for the Qatar game only, insinuating the Dubliner will start.

The central defender had an impressive season for Ipswich, securing promotion at the first-time of asking.

Centre back: Nathan Collins

Kildare native and now-turned Ireland captain Nathan Collins is a sure-bet to start in the heart of Ireland's back-three.

We can expect the trio of O'Shea-Collins-O'Brien to stay together after impressive performances during World Cup qualifying.

Centre back: Jake O'Brien

The 6"6 colossus that is Jake O'Brien has enjoyed a break-out year with Everton this season.

What makes O'Brien such an asset for Ireland is his dependability in multiple defensive positions.

Don't be surprised if you see the Everton man shift to RWB or RB in the second half.

Left wing back: Alex Murphy

Probably the shock decision in this lineup is 23-year-old Alex Murphy.

The fullback hasn't featured regularly for Newcastle this year. However, due to the nature of the wing-back situation for Ireland, now is the time to blood new and exciting young players into the fray.

Centre midfielder: Joe Hodge

A product of Manchester City's academy, Hodge, enjoyed an encouraging start to his career away from England's lower divisions, and has impressed in his debut campaign with Portuguese club Tondela, despite relegation.

Centre midfielder: Jayson Molumby

Due to the nature of starting a midfielder making his debut at senior international level in Hodge, it's important to partner him with the experience of Molumby.

Ireland are short on experienced bodies in midfield and Molumby has a point to prove tonight to lock down his spot in Ireland's engine room ahead of the Nations League.

Right wing back: Séamus Coleman

While Collins will captain tonight, Coleman is undoubtably the skipper without the armband for Ireland.

One of the best pieces of Irish sports news recently was the Donegal man confessing he will stay on with his country ahead of the ever-so important qualification push for Euro 2028.

Attacking midfielder: Jaden Umeh

Another surprise inclusion and our third debutant in the XI, Umeh is one of Ireland's most exciting prospects.

The Benfica winger was hard done by not to feature in Ireland's demolition job of Grenada earlier this month due to club requests.

If Ireland are to kick on as a footballing force, Umeh is going to be central to that.

Attacking midfielder: Chiedozie Ogbene

Ogbene is still a key piece to Ireland's starting lineup and will need to increase his minutes at club level next season to offer his best services to Ireland.

Tonight's fixture versus Qatar is a perfect opportunity for the Limerick man to gain fitness heading into the off season.

Striker: Troy Parrott

Probably the man many are paying their admission fee to see tonight, Parrott is a must-start for Ireland and deserves a proper send-off for the record-breaking season he has had.

This could possibly be his last Ireland camp as an AZ Alkmaar player if reports are true about a potential move to one Europe's top-five leagues over the summer.

Ireland XI vs Qatar