Potentially eligible players thread

[Diggs246]

"Jack Grealish has been called up to the England squad"
Thank God I thought he would never **** off

[Eirambler]

Hopefully he gets his cap now.

[Olé Olé]

Yeah, his cap is inevitable. The volume of caps is uncertain. He clearly is down the pecking order. He will have to do something incredible in a team that plays him in a wide forward role to get into the squad based on Southgate's rationale for excluding him in the first place.

[youngirish]

Yeah, his cap is inevitable. The volume of caps is uncertain. He clearly is down the pecking order. He will have to do something incredible in a team that plays him in a wide forward role to get into the squad based on Southgate's rationale for excluding him in the first place.

He could have been a superstar for us. Instead he's never likely to be more of a peripheral squad player for England considering the amount of young talent they have coming through the ranks.

On the plus side for him a couple of England caps will probably double his transfer fee.

He was never Irish anyway like most of the granny rule blow ins so good luck to him playing for his home country. I dream our upcoming golden generation knock him and his England team out of a major tournament in the future and the tears of both him and Rice flow like Gazza in full swing.

[Eirambler]

Interesting to see that Stephen Mallon turned down a late call up to the Under 21 training camp and has decided to switch to the Northern Ireland setup. A fairly pragmatic decision given his career trajectory you'd have to say.

Then again, maybe a rant about how he has taken up valuable underage squad spaces in the Ireland setup and prevented some other player's development pathway might be appropriate after some of the wailing up north last week about Sykes.

I think we'll see more of this with the new rule changes if anything encouraging these kind of switches. Might we even reach the stage where a player who grew up in the Republic of Ireland switches to the north to gain an international career?

It will also be interesting to see how Mallon is received by the NI fans given that he has openly stated in an interview that he's an Ireland fan first and NI are his second choice. Then again, Niall McGinn has said similar before and they seemed to accept it without too much fuss.

Although that said, I see one of the first comments on twitter linking to the news article about Mallon from an NI fan simply reads "how about you **** right off".

[Olé Olé]

That's a pity. Particularly if he's an Ireland fan- has he stated this previously? He's very young to be deciding that he might never make it.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/northern-ireland/derry-citys-stephen-mallon-switches-international-allegiance-northern-ireland-2957667

Quotes from Mallon here.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Interesting to see that Stephen Mallon turned down a late call up to the Under 21 training camp and has decided to switch to the Northern Ireland setup. A fairly pragmatic decision given his career trajectory you'd have to say.

Then again, maybe a rant about how he has taken up valuable underage squad spaces in the Ireland setup and prevented some other player's development pathway might be appropriate after some of the wailing up north last week about Sykes.

I think we'll see more of this with the new rule changes if anything encouraging these kind of switches. Might we even reach the stage where a player who grew up in the Republic of Ireland switches to the north to gain an international career?

It will also be interesting to see how Mallon is received by the NI fans given that he has openly stated in an interview that he's an Ireland fan first and NI are his second choice. Then again, Niall McGinn has said similar before and they seemed to accept it without too much fuss.

Although that said, I see one of the first comments on twitter linking to the news article about Mallon from an NI fan simply reads "how about you **** right off".
This can only happen if they have family links to the North though which is obviously common enough around the border area. The frequency of switches won't be the same going there way though as every player born on the island is eligible for us but not vice versa.

[elatedscum]

It’s a funny one, watching him play for Derry, I saw the potential I didn’t see in Toulon. He genuinely looked like a prospect, albeit a very raw one.

There’s really not a huge amount of wingers coming through for us at underage level. Elbouzedi and Farrugia while at Waterford and UCD were important for us. There’s a lot of guys who can play there but aren’t really wingers: Barrett, Kilkenny, Scully. James McClean is obviously a good example of how a true winger can blossom a little late.

He’s right that there is a clearer pathway but I wouldn’t have said he was really that far away. I mean given he was involved in the 21s squad last summer and he was called up to the current squad but rejected it.

[elatedscum]

Interesting to see that Stephen Mallon turned down a late call up to the Under 21 training camp and has decided to switch to the Northern Ireland setup. A fairly pragmatic decision given his career trajectory you'd have to say.

Then again, maybe a rant about how he has taken up valuable underage squad spaces in the Ireland setup and prevented some other player's development pathway might be appropriate after some of the wailing up north last week about Sykes.


Under the current rules, Darragh Burns is playing for the north simply because if he makes the change to us, he’s tied down and if he ultimately doesn’t make it, then he can’t change back. He qualifies through a parent I believe and the north called him up when he didn’t make an irish underage squad

[Eirambler]

Interesting - didn't know about Burns.

On wingers - Will Ferry is probably the highest rated out and out winger we have at the moment.

[seanfhear]

He is on a Promise from Northern Ireland ! But how do you make them Honour the Promise !

There is great shenanigans going on behind the scenes with these dual / multi qualified players. Ah, sure we win a few and we lose a few !

[Fixer82]

If playing international football is about playing for whoever will give him more game rather than who he grew up following time then best of luck to him. I'd rather not have that attitude in the Republic squad

[Razors left peg]

If playing international football is about playing for whoever will give him more game rather than who he grew up following time then best of luck to him. I'd rather not have that attitude in the Republic squad

It also a career for guys. Playing international football can increase a players profile which could lead to a few extra quid in paycheck.

Mallon has to look at whats best for his career if hes not going to get many games for us. I think its slightly different to jumping ship to a "better" option once your profile increases.... but that might be me being hypocritical

[elatedscum]

If playing international football is about playing for whoever will give him more game rather than who he grew up following time then best of luck to him. I'd rather not have that attitude in the Republic squad

At least he's being honest about it I suppose

[Bielsa´s irish]

He could have been a superstar for us. Instead he's never likely to be more of a peripheral squad player for England considering the amount of young talent they have coming through the ranks.

On the plus side for him a couple of England caps will probably double his transfer fee.

He was never Irish anyway like most of the granny rule blow ins so good luck to him playing for his home country. I dream our upcoming golden generation knock him and his England team out of a major tournament in the future and the tears of both him and Rice flow like Gazza in full swing.


Southgate is clever, he is gonna throw him in for 20 minutes and get rid of him, he is no way better than the rest, and he is a bit of show-off and big-headed. The guy is mutiny. Im iinterested in bringing Nathan Redmond, his mother is irish born and a big supporter of Ireland and Mikey to the irish team. Plus Crowley and the Johansson guy at Sevilla.

[elatedscum]

Daniel O'Shaughnessy made his competitive debut for Finland tonight (4th cap overall), so is now ineligible...

[brine3]

If playing international football is about playing for whoever will give him more game rather than who he grew up following time then best of luck to him. I'd rather not have that attitude in the Republic squad

To be fair, there are genuine cases when people follow more than one country as a kid. If your father is from the one country and your mother from the other, sure why wouldn't you.

[Olé Olé]

CJ Hamilton scored for Blackpool v Liverpool today. Does he qualify for Ireland?

[Eirambler]

He seems to have grown up in Ireland and lived here for at least 10 years, so potentially eligible. A bit of a journeyman pro though, unlikely to ever get the call I would say.

[Olé Olé]

He seems to have grown up in Ireland and lived here for at least 10 years, so potentially eligible. A bit of a journeyman pro though, unlikely to ever get the call I would say.

Fair enough. Although he's on an upward trajectory and still only 25. Stranger things...

[Charlie Darwin]

25 years old and playing in League One at least gives him a shot. What age was Vardy when he went to Leicester?

[elatedscum]

Saw that game. Thought he was Blackpool’s best player. He and Blackpool looked excellent in the first half, while Liverpool were really poor.

[greendeiseboy]

His mother is Irish or of Irish parentage, I think, fairly sure his grandparents are from here, so that would make him eligible. I stand corrected on this, his mother and one of his sisters still live here and she’s mates with a friend of mine.

I’ll try find out if he qualifies and if he has any interest in declaring

[Exgrad]

Bit of background on him in this article:

https://www.the42.ie/cj-hamilton-liverpool-5196540-Sep2020/

[CraftyToePoke]

There is a sixteen year old goalkeeper called Ciaran Dalton on the bench tonight for NY Red Bulls second side. Seems he also plays GAA in NY after a quick Google.

[tetsujin1979]

it this him?
1303777685840297991

[CraftyToePoke]

With the big crucifix and the Ireland jersey, yep, sure is tets.

[tetsujin1979]

Could be a J1 student who couldn't get a flight home!

[Fixer82]

Will Crowley be available too us with the new rule change?
Could he do a job for us at no.10 if McGoldrick is injured?
i haven't seen much of him at all I must admit

[Diggs246]

it this him?
1303777685840297991

http://nyrb.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=3941000&player=263654694

Yep looks like him alright

[Diggs246]

Will Crowley be available too us with the new rule change?
Could he do a job for us at no.10 if McGoldrick is injured?
i haven't seen much of him at all I must admit

Correct
If those rules change he becomes eligible and like you I would have him as mcgoldricks understudy

[Stuttgart88]

I'd still have Jack Byrne!

[liamoo11]

Correct
If those rules change he becomes eligible and like you I would have him as mcgoldricks understudy

I really cant see any way mcgoldrick can play as a 10 in a 3 man midfield. He just doesnt have thar work ethic for it and is an awful tackler , crowley wood be a real option he has improved his athleticism and seems he will play as a 10 for karanka instead of out on the right like he did for pep

[Diggs246]

Neither can I actually. I was saying in another thread this 433 is going to be a bit of a disaster. For me he is a 10 with the 9 ahead of him in a 451

[MancIrishWolf]

Couple of Lads coming through at Blackburn who could be eligible. Rankin-Costello (21) and Dolan (18) both Manc born attacking midfielders (which fits the bill), played yesterday after coming through United and City’s academy respectively.

Is there an FAI email to forward on to? (sure I’ve seen this in the past).

[tetsujin1979]

You used to be able to mail info@fai.ie. Not sure if it's still active

[Bielsa´s irish]

Paddy scored vs Liverpool yesterday. Is Paddy gonna declare? Wasnt impressed by him, he is a poor man's Nial Quinn. Doesnt offer something different than Hogan or Collins.

[DeLorean]

Doubt it. If he was ignoring Mick's calls while scoring at an average rate in the Championship, I'd imagine he has far grander notions now that he's terrorising Virgil van Dijk.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Doubt it. If he was ignoring Mick's calls while scoring at an average rate in the Championship, I'd imagine he has far grander notions now that he's terrorising Virgil van Dijk.

the goal was a result of an overconfident Virgil , but Bamford was clever it was a fluke goal anyway

[CraftyToePoke]

Mark Bellingham, who I believe is Jude Bellinghams father tweeted this tonight - Anyway, it's been enjoyable but this half Irish kid is going to go online and watch his mixed race England u21 International son make his competitive debut in the German Cup - so there's that, Dortmunds latest UK import is eligible for us. He scored on his debut also.
1305577712959000576

[seanfhear]

Mark Bellingham, who I believe is Jude Bellinghams father tweeted this tonight - Anyway, it's been enjoyable but this half Irish kid is going to go online and watch his mixed race England u21 International son make his competitive debut in the German Cup - so there's that, Dortmunds latest UK import is eligible for us. He scored on his debut also.
1305577712959000576Would the England U21 international be a Clue ? ?

[CraftyToePoke]

It doesn't alter the fact that he is eligible, which is all I am saying and what the thread is for.

[Eirambler]

Well he is potentially eligible but, as long shots go, this might be the longest one yet on this thread!

[CraftyToePoke]

Well he is potentially eligible but, as long shots go, this might be the longest one yet on this thread!

Was there ever anything in the Mikey Johnston thing Eireambler ?

[Bielsa´s irish]

Yeap Mikey is the fellow we need as a number 10. Some irish fans were creaming their pants with all this Grealish show-off. Well this fellow Johnston is twice the player Grealish is. I hope Neill Lennon helps the cause because he is gonna manage Ireland in 4 or 5 years

[seanfhear]

Yeap Mikey is the fellow we need as a number 10. Some irish fans were creaming their pants with all this Grealish show-off. Well this fellow Johnston is twice the player Grealish is. I hope Neill Lennon helps the cause because he is gonna manage Ireland in 4 or 5 yearsThings are going to go really bad in the next 4 to 5 years if we end up with Neil Lennon as Manager. We’d have to be playing in Scotland for Lennon to do any good with us. Maybe we are going to merge with Celtic ! !

[Eminence Grise]

Luca Connell wakes to a vision of a bleak, bleak future...

[DeLorean]

It doesn't alter the fact that he is eligible, which is all I am saying and what the thread is for.

Yes, obviously a billion to one shot conservatively speaking, unless his career really plummets, but interesting all the same.

Have a thanks from the Brigade.

[Eirambler]

Was there ever anything in the Mikey Johnston thing Eireambler ?

He qualifies as far as I know, but I don't think there's any suggestion at this stage that he would particularly want to switch.

If he was going to he would need to do it very soon, because if he plays for their under 21s again he'll be tied to Scotland for good.