CALLUM O’Dowda has earned a first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad.

The Oxford United winger, who bagged the winner in Saturday's 1-0 win against Bury, has been named in Noel King’s squad to play Andorra at Waterford on March 26.

He qualifies via his paternal grandfather, Brendan, who was born in Dundalk.

The call-up will not see O'Dowda miss any United games, as he flies out the day after the trip to Shrewsbury Town (March 21) and is back before Carlisle United's visit to the Kassam Stadium (March 28).

It is the first game in Ireland’s qualifying campaign for the 2017 UEFA Under 21 Championships, which will be held in Poland.

Their group also includes games against Italy, Serbia and Slovenia.

The squad also includes Oxford-born Niall Keown, son of former Arsenal defender Martin.

The centre back, who plays for Reading, is also in the squad for the first time.

O'Dowda is the second international call-up for a United player in less than a week, with goalkeeper Max Crocombe included in the senior New Zealand squad to face South Korea later this month.