Ipswich Town goalkeeping coach Rene Gilmartin has been named in Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O’Shea’s staff for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.

Gilmartin joined Ipswich as part of caretaker boss John McGreal's staff in December 2021 and stayed on under new boss Kieran McKenna.

The 36-year-old carried on coaching the Irish U21s in addition to his role with the Blues.

“Rene Gilmartin steps up from the Ireland U21s set-up where he has worked since 2019 and so crucially, already has a great relationship with our current goalkeeper group,” O’Shea said.

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Former Manchester United defender O’Shea, who has taken temporary charge following the dismissal of Stephen Kenny, has also appointed Crystal Palace assistant boss Paddy McCarthy as his No.2 and former Ireland manager Brian Kerr as technical director.

Ex-Stoke and Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan will be an assistant coach and analyst Martin Doyle will step up from the U21s along with Gilmartin.

Ireland host the Belgium at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, March 23 and then Switzerland, at the same venue, three days later.