Ireland winger James McClean believes Brian Lenihan's call up to the Ireland squad shows the strength of the League of Ireland.
Hull youngster Lenihan (20) earned his first call up shortly after his move from Premier Division Cork City during the summer.
Wigan player McClean, who played for Derry City before moving to the Premier League with Sunderland, says that Lenihan's call up shows the benefits of the League of Ireland.
"If you look round the squad, there's a lot of players who came from the League and I think that's testament to the League as well. He's a young lad and he's just gone to Hull. It's great to see him in the squad and hopefully he can have a great career at club and international level," said McClean of Lenihan.
A number of squad players started their football educations in Irish domestic football, including Shane Long (Cork City), Kevin Doyle (St Pats and Cork City), Wes Hoolahan (Shelbourne), Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers), David Meyler (Cork City), Conor Sammon (UCD and Derry City) and David Forde (Galway United).
