Potentially eligible players thread

[DannyInvincible]

Harry Kane to Real Madrid?: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/554534/Real-Madrid-Kane-Sterling-Benzema-Arsenal-Man-Utd


Real Madrid to raise funds for Kane and Sterling by selling Benzema to Arsenal or Man Utd...

(Lolz.)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/02/19/lamar-neagles-last-interview-as-a-sounder/57971

http://mynorthwest.com/418/440771/Second-time-could-be-the-charm-for-Sounders-Lamar-Neagle

Seattle Sounders player (27) is eligible to play for Ireland, although it seems the main reason behind his acquiring an Irish passport was to create a clear pathway in order to play in Europe.

https://www.facebook.com/IrishClubSeattle

His Irish roots lie in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

[tetsujin1979]

Renamed the thread, pretty sure each of O'Hara, Noble or Nolan are not going to declare at this stage. Feel free to discuss any potentially eligible player here.

[Stuttgart88]

What about Mark Noble or Jamie O'Hara?

[tetsujin1979]

What about Mark Noble or Jamie O'Hara?
nothing about them, just it's been almost six years since the thread was started, and we're no closer to them declaring than we were when it was started.

[DannyInvincible]

I thought O'Hara's eligibility stemmed from at least one Irish grandparent, but a 2002 article from the Belfast Telegraph stated his father is from Magherafelt: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10663459.html


FEW realised that the Northern Ireland and England under-16 captains had something in common as they shook hands before their game in the very successful Ballymena International tournament which ended on Monday.

Limavady's Sean Brolly skippered the boys in green but little did he realise that his opposite number Jamie O'Hara has strong family connections in Magherafelt and is also eligible to play for Northern Ireland at youth level and upwards.

A midfield dynamo, Jamie's father is from the Co. Derry town and his English mother who was over for the tournament, let it be known that he has not declared his affiliation yet, but hinted at a strong leaning towards Northern Ireland.

[DannyInvincible]

Just having a look around the net for more on Neagle. Quite a few videos in various places (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lamar+neagle&oq=lamar+neagle&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0l5.1675j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8#q=lamar+neagle&tbm=vid) of him in action. Here's a goal he scored a few months ago:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2--QIbM9rQ8

Not a bad finish.

I see his Twitter profile (https://twitter.com/lamarneagle) mentions something about "the Way of the Irish". I wonder would he be interested in representing us. He's never played at any level for the US, however, as far as I can make out. Would be be good enough for our consideration then? Maybe not if he's not been on the receiving end of any serious attention from the happy-capping US set-up. I see he has played briefly in Europe before (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_Neagle) though; he once played in the Finnish league with IFK Mariehamn.

This profile (http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/neagle_lamar00.html) from his university days states that he is the "son of John Brown and Bridget Neagle, and Frankie and Maria Lawson". What does that mean exactly? His birth parents are in relationships with other partners now, I can only assume.

[DannyInvincible]

Here's a highlights video featuring Neagle in action between 2011 to 2013:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2LN3v9EovI

[drummerboy]

Are the Keane brothers still eligible to play for Ireland. I know they switched loyalties to England but it looks like they are not going to feature for them, are they still able to switch back.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

One of them definitely isn't able to switch.

[DannyInvincible]

Are the Keane brothers still eligible to play for Ireland. I know they switched loyalties to England but it looks like they are not going to feature for them, are they still able to switch back.

Will Keane (the forward now on loan at Sheffield Wednesday) has never switched association. He has only ever played for England at under-age level, so he can still switch to the FAI if he wishes.

Michael (the defender who has signed for Burnley), on the other hand, represented us competitively at under-17 level first and then represented England competitively at under-age level, thus formally effecting his solitary switch, so he's now tied to the FA.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/video-mauricio-pochettino-thinks-harry-kane-playing-for-ireland-is-hilarious/11454

Mauricio Pochettino asked for his thoughts on the possibility of Harry Kane playing for Ireland.

Cue laughter.

[Olé Olé]

At the risk of being sweeping and rash, the English media are a sickening crowd. That notion really entertained them. Although the audacity of the Irish journalist to bring it up in such a press conference may have contributed to the laughter too.

As an aside, Pochettino is from a town called Murphy in Argentina- presumably named after an Irish immigrant.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

They weren't laughing out of maliciousness. It was genuinely pretty funny. We don't have any right to be offended. He plays for England and has not entertained any notion of playing for Ireland - in fact he has discarded the notion himself: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/blow-for-martin-oneill-as-harry-kane-rules-out-playing-for-the-republic-of-ireland-30547200.html

It was utterly pointless bringing it up.

[OwlsFan]

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/video-mauricio-pochettino-thinks-harry-kane-playing-for-ireland-is-hilarious/11454

Mauricio Pochettino asked for his thoughts on the possibility of Harry Kane playing for Ireland.

Cue laughter.

To be fair the laughter wasn't by him but by the hacks. He seemed a bit bemused.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Yeah. Did the journalist honestly expect him to have an opinion on it? He has no dog in this race. He didn't even dignify the question with a response.

[seanfhear]

Irish journalist thinking that Ireland is the centre of the world !

Rest of world indifferent ! ! !

[colonelwest]

Are the Keane brothers still eligible to play for Ireland. I know they switched loyalties to England but it looks like they are not going to feature for them, are they still able to switch back.

As was said Will played underage for England the whole way through, was never with us at all. Michael was with us underage and then switched back to England. As far as I'm aware you're only allowed one switch of association so unfortunately he's tied to England now and his chances of getting a look in there over the next few years are slim, even with his move to Burnley for first team football.

[DannyInvincible]

To be fair the laughter wasn't by him but by the hacks. He seemed a bit bemused.

Or maybe even confused. Can we be sure he even understood the question? He seemed to turn to someone by his side for clarification as to what was asked, no?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Serenity now..

[CraftyToePoke]

Or maybe even confused. Can we be sure he even understood the question? He seemed to turn to someone by his side for clarification as to what was asked, no?

That's how I read it too. Don't really see why he was asked though, either.

[Stuttgart88]

Patrick Bamford has been interviewed on TV in successive weeks. He seems a very engaging lad, and dare I say it, more educated than your average footballer.

[DannyInvincible]

That's how I read it too. Don't really see why he was asked though, either.

Aye, definitely still a daft question whether it was understood or not. Kane has been very clear about his situation at present.


Patrick Bamford has been interviewed on TV in successive weeks. He seems a very engaging lad, and dare I say it, more educated than your average footballer.

He has four A-Levels and was offered a scholarship by Harvard, according to his Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Bamford#Early_life).

[geysir]

Bamford is currently an English underage international, atm his potential eligibility level for ireland is very very weak.
He is probably down to around his last 2% of Irishness and beyond salvation.
If he was as smart as they say, would he have put himself in that predicament?

[nigel-harps1954]

Isn't Bamford in the same situation as Michael Keane, having played for Ireland and switched to England?

[DannyInvincible]

Isn't Bamford in the same situation as Michael Keane, having played for Ireland and switched to England?

Bamford never played for us in a competitive fixture for us, thus he was never formally registered to the FAI and did not require a formal FIFA-sanctioned switch to later play for the FA. In FIFA's eyes, the FA are his original and only association.

[DannyInvincible]

This was the game in which Bamford played for us: http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u18s-beaten-by-ukraine

It was an under-18s fixture against Ukraine in the non-FIFA sanctioned Jezek International Tournament. I don't think FIFA even formally acknowledge such an age category; they recognise under-17, 19 and 21 levels, as far as I know. Coincidentally, I see Michael Keane also featured in that Ukraine game, although he also has at least one competitive under-17 appearance for us, which is why his case is distinct from Bamford's.

[DeLorean]

Derry winger Michael Duffy set for move to Scotland (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31090825)
Any good? Committed to NI?

[nigel-harps1954]

Derry winger Michael Duffy set for move to Scotland (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31090825)
Any good? Committed to NI?

I wouldn't say he's overly outstanding, but a good player nonetheless. He's actually from Donegal too far as I know, St Johnston right on the border.

[DannyInvincible]

Duffy played in an under-18 friendly for us against Wales a few years ago.

Nigel; is he from Donegal as in he was born in Donegal, or he is living in Donegal but was born in Derry?

Oddly, I know someone who was born in Altnagelvin whilst her parents lived near Buncrana. She later moved to Derry and holds a British passport with Donegal (or it might even be Letterkenny actually) as her place of birth.

[nigel-harps1954]

Duffy played in an under-18 friendly for us against Wales a few years ago.

Nigel; is he from Donegal as in he was born in Donegal, or he is living in Donegal but was born in Derry?

Oddly, I know someone who was born in Altnagelvin whilst her parents lived near Buncrana. She later moved to Derry and holds a British passport with Donegal (or it might even be Letterkenny actually) as her place of birth.

I'm not sure of the specific details. May well have been born in Altnagelvin, as is common around border areas in Donegal. Far as I'm aware, he grew up and played all his underage football in St Johnston, with Kildrum Tigers.

[Predator]

I'm not sure of the specific details. May well have been born in Altnagelvin, as is common around border areas in Donegal. Far as I'm aware, he grew up and played all his underage football in St Johnston, with Kildrum Tigers.Although it would stand to reason, that mightn't necessarily mean he's from there. I had a friend who was born and raised in County Derry but played a lot of under-age football for Kildrum (and Killea). His father would drop him in for training and games.

The Derry City website says that Duffy's hometown is Derry (http://www.derrycityfc.net/player/michael-duffy/?season=136) and I'm open to correction but I believe he went to St Columb's in the city (again, that doesn't mean he couldn't have been born and reared in Donegal).

[DannyInvincible]

The Derry City website says that Duffy's hometown is Derry (http://www.derrycityfc.net/player/michael-duffy/?season=136) and I'm open to correction but I believe he went to St Columb's in the city (again, that doesn't mean he couldn't have been born and reared in Donegal).

You're definitely right about him going to St. Columb's. See: http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2596/michael-duffy/ and http://www.nisfa.co.uk/Latest_News.aspx?lc=1&id=50fcdf46-26ee-4080-8ec0-a4466c9016ed

Although, as you say, that's not really illuminating; there are plenty of students living on the Donegal side of the border who attend St. Columb's and other schools in Derry.

[DannyInvincible]

Andy Lonergan's started in goals for Bolton against Liverpool in the FA Cup tonight. Is Bogdán injured or is Lonergan the number one now?

[nigel-harps1954]

You're definitely right about him going to St. Columb's. See: http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2596/michael-duffy/ and http://www.nisfa.co.uk/Latest_News.aspx?lc=1&id=50fcdf46-26ee-4080-8ec0-a4466c9016ed

Although, as you say, that's not really illuminating; there are plenty of students living on the Donegal side of the border who attend St. Columb's and other schools in Derry.

Born in St Johnston, moved to Derry and went to school there. Came back to play football in St Johnston again. Found out more information on him yesterday but forgot to update this hugely vital information.

[DannyInvincible]

Lonergan was Phil Neville's "best player on the pitch" despite ten-man Bolton losing 2-1 after conceding a late double. Liam Feeney, who is also eligible for us (although NI seemed keen on him a few years ago), played.


Born in St Johnston, moved to Derry and went to school there. Came back to play football in St Johnston again. Found out more information on him yesterday but forgot to update this hugely vital information.

Any idea how he qualifies to play for the IFA? I wonder does he have at least one parent or grandparent from the north or maybe he's eligible simply as a result of having been schooled in Derry for five years before the age of 18?

[nigel-harps1954]

Any idea how he qualifies to play for the IFA? I wonder does he have at least one parent or grandparent from the north or maybe he's eligible simply as a result of having been schooled in Derry for five years before the age of 18?

There could be a whole raft of different reasons. Surely though, on the same token as a Northern player wishing to play for Republic or Ireland, he can choose which he wants due to Good Friday Agreement and all that jazz? I'm not sure the whole ins and outs of that one.

Alternatively, he could have been born into St Johnston, but actually born in Altnagelvin as guessed before.

Best guess would be his schooling in Derry making him eligible though.

[Stuttgart88]

I think I just heard Danny explode.

[Olé Olé]

Doesn't sound like there's much of an affinity there with Northern Ireland, regardless. Surely one for our under-21's. Unless he's taking the Niall McGinn approach.

[Charlie Darwin]

There could be a whole raft of different reasons. Surely though, on the same token as a Northern player wishing to play for Republic or Ireland, he can choose which he wants due to Good Friday Agreement and all that jazz? I'm not sure the whole ins and outs of that one.

Alternatively, he could have been born into St Johnston, but actually born in Altnagelvin as guessed before.

Best guess would be his schooling in Derry making him eligible though.
http://i.imgur.com/u3lWw.gif

[DannyInvincible]

I think I just heard Danny explode.

Ha, Nigel's having me on. At least, I think... Right, Nigel? :confused:

On Duffy possibly having been "born into" St. Johnston, I wonder how common it is for people whose family are resident in Donegal but who are born in Altnagelvin to have their births legally registered in Donegal, as if to suggest they were actually born in Donegal. I mentioned my friend a few posts ago who has Letterkenny/Donegal on her passport as her place of birth despite having been born in Derry, but I assumed she was a pretty rare case. I'm not entirely sure how it all works really.

[Stuttgart88]

I can see a Bonnie Shels t-shirt at the next Championships we qualify for: Altnagelvin Alberts, while his mate sixesandsevens will wear an Altnagelvin Celtic one. Termonbarry, your time is up.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ha, Nigel's having me on. At least, I think... Right, Nigel? :confused:

On Duffy possibly having been "born into" St. Johnston, I wonder how common it is for people whose family are resident in Donegal but who are born in Altnagelvin to have their births legally registered in Donegal, as if to suggest they were actually born in Donegal. I mentioned my friend a few posts ago who has Letterkenny/Donegal on her passport as her place of birth despite having been born in Derry, but I assumed she was a pretty rare case. I'm not entirely sure how it all works really.

I'm not sure exactly how common it is, but I do know quite a number of people whom I grew up around that were born in Derry yet lived in Letterkenny. Whether or not they have Donegal or Derry on their passports as birth place I've no idea whatsoever.

[DannyInvincible]

Roy Hodgson watched Harry Kane score twice for Spurs today as they beat Arsenal 2-1, so I'd imagine Kane will be getting that sought-after senior England call-up sooner rather than later.

[samhaydenjr]

Roy Hodgson watched Harry Kane score twice for Spurs today as they beat Arsenal 2-1, so I'd imagine Kane will be getting that sought-after senior England call-up sooner rather than later.

Danny Murphy urges Hodgson to build his team around Kane and Arsene Wenger says that he should be put in the England team or "...somebody else will give him a passport." http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31204958 - maybe a good time to send MON to Middlesbrough to have a word in the ear of Patrick Bamford (or at least get Keiren Westwood to have a chat with Will Keane, who got his first senior goal yesterday, albeit a penalty)

[Wangball]

I saw someone mention Lamar Neagle of the Seattle Sounders as a potential call up recently, oddly enough his team mate Aaron Kovar (the guy they intend to replace DeAndre Yedlin with) also has an Irish passport! First noticed it playing football manager and then after some googling found it confirmed here -

https://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/sounders-academy-spotlight-aaron-kovar-irish-american-and-state-player-of-year/

[nigel-harps1954]

Whole heap of players on Football Manager end up playing for Ireland. In the latest game I'm running Adam Hammill, Luke Chambers, Andy Lonergan and Will Buckley are all in the Ireland squad.

[Olé Olé]

I saw someone mention Lamar Neagle of the Seattle Sounders as a potential call up recently, oddly enough his team mate Aaron Kovar (the guy they intend to replace DeAndre Yedlin with) also has an Irish passport! First noticed it playing football manager and then after some googling found it confirmed here -

https://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/sounders-academy-spotlight-aaron-kovar-irish-american-and-state-player-of-year/

Very interesting. States that an uncle of his is involved in the FAI. Presumably his mother is Irish-born.

He also states that he wants to play for America though.

[DannyInvincible]

I saw someone mention Lamar Neagle of the Seattle Sounders as a potential call up recently, oddly enough his team mate Aaron Kovar (the guy they intend to replace DeAndre Yedlin with) also has an Irish passport! First noticed it playing football manager and then after some googling found it confirmed here -

https://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/sounders-academy-spotlight-aaron-kovar-irish-american-and-state-player-of-year/

He claims to have "played in Ireland with some clubs" and says his uncle is in the "Irish FA" (I assume he means the FAI). I wonder which clubs he's played for in Ireland... There's no record of having played in Ireland on his Wiki. Maybe he's trained during summer visits or something, like Shane O'Neill has done in Cork. Making it with the US appears to Kovar's priority, but he is open to representing us too.

This piece suggests left-back should be his position: http://www.sounderatheart.com/thefuture/2014/10/4/6907595/aaron-kovar-should-be-the-left-back-of-the-future

It appears he plays as left winger otherwise. Isn't Yedlin a right-back?

General interview with Kovar here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwhPjk5_4zk

[DannyInvincible]

Whole heap of players on Football Manager end up playing for Ireland. In the latest game I'm running Adam Hammill, Luke Chambers, Andy Lonergan and Will Buckley are all in the Ireland squad.

Lonergan's roots are in Ballybofey.