Jayson Molumby, Adam Idah handed first Republic of Ireland call-ups

The three were members of Kenny's under-21s team – Molumby was his captain – and have followed him in the wake of his elevation to succeed Mick McCarthy in the senior set-up.

There are returns to the 23-man party for James McCarthy, Harry Arter, Shane Long and Darragh Lenihan, while Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick will be added for the Finland game as he continues to work his way back from a foot injury.

Crystal Palace midfielder McCarthy has not played for his country since a 3-1 World Cup qualifier victory in Moldova in October 2016 with injuries having severely limited him in recent seasons, while Arter, Long and Lenihan have been selected sporadically.

There is no place for veteran Fleetwood midfielder Glenn Whelan, while Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark, who suffered a serious ankle injury in February, and Preston striker Sean Maguire are also missing.

Ireland face the Bulgarians in Sofia on Thursday September 3 before entertaining Finland at the Aviva Stadium three days later, both behind closed doors, and the games will allow Kenny to prepare of October's Euro 2020 play-off tie in Slovakia.

Squad: Darren Randolph (West Ham), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O'Hara (unattached), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Fulham), Jeff Hendrick (unattached), Alan Browne (Preston), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jayson Molumby (Brighton), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke), Aaron Connolly (Brighton), Adam Idah (Norwich), Troy Parrott (Tottenham, on loan at Millwall), Shane Long (Southampton).