Potentially eligible players thread

[Bielsa´s irish]

Or both teams unite somehow or the nationalist players go for Rep. Of.
Mon said he couldnt play for Ireland At his time

[Trequartista20]

The talented Boyd-Munce is certainly a viable potentiall option, I think.

[Bielsa´s irish]

The talented Boyd-Munce is certainly a viable potentiall option, I think.

is he eligible?

[Demesne Lad]

Any information on left-back Ryan (Francis Patrick) Galvin, born Kingston-on-Thames Jan 2001, with Wigan Athletic initially but Sheffield Wed for the last 30 months. Recently back with Wednesday after a successful loan spell at Gloucester City?

[Demesne Lad]

The talented Boyd-Munce is certainly a viable potentiall option, I think.

Former De La Salle school pupil, according to Wikipedia. Has played U-21 for Northern Ireland.

[third policeman]

He looks a fine footballer not sure right full will be his best position, was a box to box midfielder underage( just like trent) . I was watching morecambe v spurs and noticed Ryan mclougking who was vert similar in been nationalist at Liverpool and very highly regarded and playing for the north

He’s played for NI so that’s it isn’t it? Pity as he looks like he’ll be a very decent player.

[Diggs246]

He’s played for NI so that’s it isn’t it? Pity as he looks like he’ll be a very decent player.

U can play three competitive games before you are 21 and still leave
The games can't be in a competition itself

[third policeman]

U can play three competitive games before you are 21 and still leave
The games can't be in a competition itself

In which case subtle approaches should be made. If he’s happy representing NI fair enough, and no doubt approaching a player because of what seems like a nationalist background could be seen as questionable, he’s a decent prospect and nothing ventured…..

[JR89]

Jim Crawford already mentioned the FAI were interested in Bradley back in November, but I'll assume he's happy where he is given he's regularly been involved with them since making his debut.

Would take a massive hail mary bid from the FAI to convince the lad at the last minute having played three competitive games, and featured in two friendlies.

[lofty9]

Jim Crawford already mentioned the FAI were interested in Bradley back in November, but I'll assume he's happy where he is given he's regularly been involved with them since making his debut.

Would take a massive hail mary bid from the FAI to convince the lad at the last minute having played three competitive games, and featured in two friendlies.

Can't see it happening. They are buying into this ClubNI thing, think it's Talent ID now, set up that actively supplements the coaching the players get at their junior clubs is helping them build a better future. These kids are now all friends and end up playing together for the under age set up for NI. They are also getting the majority of these kids deals in England and Scotland, so you can understand if there is a connection made. You've the likes of Declan Devine, Marty McCann, Jim Magilton working for them in the past. I think Neil McCafferty from Derry is working with them now.

[paul_oshea]

Jim Crawford already mentioned the FAI were interested in Bradley back in November, but I'll assume he's happy where he is given he's regularly been involved with them since making his debut.

Would take a massive hail mary bid from the FAI to convince the lad at the last minute having played three competitive games, and featured in two friendlies.

Like Declan rice you mean? Send Southgate up to him. That'll do the trick

[paul_oshea]

Signed for Leeds today, looking at the photo on the announcement, he *has* to be Irish
https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/28326/sean-mcgurk-joins-leeds-united

Has anyone identified whether he qualifies or not?

[Demesne Lad]

Stan Flaherty (20, attacking midfielder) has just moved from Newcastle Utd to QPR on a contract to the end of the season. Stats for 2020/21: PL2 1,710 mins played, 7 goals, 3 assists.
Seems to have been inactive this season, maybe injured? Transfermarkt shows him as English and Irish.

[CraftyToePoke]

Not sure if he has a thread or not but according to Crawford today, Taylor Gardner Hickman is a generation too far back to qualify for us. Seems the family weren't sure themselves & it came down to paperwork ( or lack of )

It has been done to death before I realise but how Irish can the guy possibly feel when the family link isn't even known within his family.

[Razors left peg]

Not sure if he has a thread or not but according to Crawford today, Taylor Gardner Hickman is a generation too far back to qualify for us. Seems the family weren't sure themselves & it came down to paperwork ( or lack of )

It has been done to death before I realise but how Irish can the guy possibly feel when the family link isn't even known within his family.

Plenty of lads havent felt very Irish in the past until they put on the green shirt and then are all in.

[third policeman]

Plenty of lads havent felt very Irish in the past until they put on the green shirt and then are all in.

Find it odd not knowing where your grandparents were born? Was always confused about how Aldridge qualified via a great grand parent. My daughter is UK born but is an Irish citizen, her offspring will qualify via a grandparent, but if they become citizens before they become parents will their offspring be eligible for citizenship?

[Razors left peg]

Find it odd not knowing where your grandparents were born? Was always confused about how Aldridge qualified via a great grand parent. My daughter is UK born but is an Irish citizen, her offspring will qualify via a grandparent, but if they become citizens before they become parents will their offspring be eligible for citizenship?

I dont have any clue where 2 of my grandparents were born. Not everyone grows up in the town where all their family have lived forever

[elatedscum]

Find it odd not knowing where your grandparents were born? Was always confused about how Aldridge qualified via a great grand parent. My daughter is UK born but is an Irish citizen, her offspring will qualify via a grandparent, but if they become citizens before they become parents will their offspring be eligible for citizenship?

Aldridge was actually a grandparent afaik- it’s that his mother was adopted and her adoptive parents were irish but her birth parents weren’t. Going back a gen further he was irish through birth - but it was clarified that having an adoptive grandparent in those circumstances was sufficient

[elatedscum]

Actually maybe the was Cas - sorry

[third policeman]

Find it odd not knowing where your grandparents were born? Was always confused about how Aldridge qualified via a great grand parent. My daughter is UK born but is an Irish citizen, her offspring will qualify via a grandparent, but if they become citizens before they become parents will their offspring be eligible for citizenship?

I bet you know what country though.

[third policeman]

Actually maybe the was Cas - sorry


Here's some background on Aldridge. Definitely references a great grandparernt.

https://group.irishecho.com/2011/02/now-aldridges-irish-roots-in-dispute-2/

[Bungle]

Think Aldo had a grandparent that was Irish, but he said that he always had a huge affinity with Ireland. From knowing Liverpool the way I do, they don’t feel English at all and generally embrace their Irish roots which a strong majority of them have. I lived all over the UK and Liverpool was the only place I ever felt like home.

Separately Sonny Perkins, an up and comer with West Ham is eligible. If anyone has a contact in the FAI, would be great to let them know. He’s a current England youth international but could be worth asking him. His dad played with us.

[elatedscum]

CJ Egan-Reilly starting for Man City in the champions league tonight…

[third policeman]

Eligible apparently

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CJ_Egan-Riley

[Eirambler]

Find it odd not knowing where your grandparents were born? Was always confused about how Aldridge qualified via a great grand parent. My daughter is UK born but is an Irish citizen, her offspring will qualify via a grandparent, but if they become citizens before they become parents will their offspring be eligible for citizenship?

Aldridge I believe qualified through a great grandparent but declared for us shortly before FIFA tightened the rules in the mid 1980s. Eligibility was a bit of a free for all before that, you just needed to be able to prove some lineage so great grandparents were fine. Once FIFA formalised it the line was drawn at grandparents and if Aldridge had tried to declare after that he would have been deemed ineligible.

Regarding your other query - your great grandchildren will be eligible for an Irish passport as long as your grandchildren formalise their Irish citizenship before they give birth to your great grandchildren. However (under current rules) your great grandchildren, although they would be Irish citizens, would not be eligible to play football for Ireland (unless they had an Irish parent or grandparent).

[liamoo11]

Eligible apparently

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CJ_Egan-Riley

Played in victory shield for us. Played holding midfield against the North the night I saw them definitely didn't seem to suit him Bradley for the North of Liverpool and mccormack of St pats looked far better. That side had ollie o neill

[Demesne Lad]

We're hardly short of keepers, but I notice that when Keiren Westwood became the 5th(!!) QPR keeper to be injured (in this case, during the warm up this p.m.), Rangers turned to a 20 year-old Murphy Mahoney :-) Must have an Irish grand-dad, surely?

[tetsujin1979]

Harry Halwax is there as well, but I think he's only on an academy contract

[Olé Olé]

We're hardly short of keepers, but I notice that when Keiren Westwood became the 5th(!!) QPR keeper to be injured (in this case, during the warm up this p.m.), Rangers turned to a 20 year-old Murphy Mahoney :-) Must have an Irish grand-dad, surely?

I had to look this up. Murphy is his first name? That is mad.

[elatedscum]

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolverhampton-wanderers-teenage-forward-being-23581880

Very good player, very unlucky with injuries. Lots of talented wingers in 2003 - it's probably the position which it is most stacked, that combined with injuries and 2 years of no international football for his age group due to covid have probably halted Harkin's progress. Still, would be a real shame to lose him.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolverhampton-wanderers-teenage-forward-being-23581880

Very good player, very unlucky with injuries. Lots of talented wingers in 2003 - it's probably the position which it is most stacked, that combined with injuries and 2 years of no international football for his age group due to covid have probably halted Harkin's progress. Still, would be a real shame to lose him.

The funny thing is that this story gets reported. He's born in the 6 counties and has represented us. Of course NI will be chasing and making a case. They probably do that for every single lad in the same position, no? Reporting it then to ramp up a little pressure on the lad.

Either way, you'd think he's keen to play with us given that it was his first and immediate inclination. I don't think he's as far down the rankings as Charlie McCann was when he switched so if Harkin's head was ever turned there is surely a compelling case to be made.

Hopefully it doesn't get that far.

[elatedscum]

CJ Hamilton is now eligible for selection: https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/but-weve-lost-him-if-weve-lost-him-and-thats-the-way-it-is-stephen-kenny-praise-for-injured-matt-doherty-41544071.html

I remember seeing him play for Blackpool in this friendly and he stood out as Blackpool's best player by a good margin. Kept an eye after that and have seen a few games since. Very talented but equally capable of missing sitters, lots of good, lots of bad... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fqMpHJG2g

[Olé Olé]

CJ Hamilton is now eligible for selection: https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/but-weve-lost-him-if-weve-lost-him-and-thats-the-way-it-is-stephen-kenny-praise-for-injured-matt-doherty-41544071.html

I remember seeing him play for Blackpool in this friendly and he stood out as Blackpool's best player by a good margin. Kept an eye after that and have seen a few games since. Very talented but equally capable of missing sitters, lots of good, lots of bad... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fqMpHJG2g

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/8640574/stephen-kenny-blackpool-cj-hamilton-declared-for-ireland/

Few quotes re Hamilton here.

Apparently he's done well enough at Blackpool recently after having a tough time with injuries since he joined. At his age and experience he might just be an option as opposed to a pick.

McNamara is probably a good bit closer given his under 21 exposure and age and has played much more than Hamilton and we could do with a young option there.

[Trequartista20]

'CJ is a flying machine, him and Ogbene together would be electrifying for Ireland'

https://www.the42.ie/cj-hamilton-ireland-5737409-Apr2022/

[samhaydenjr]

'CJ is a flying machine, him and Ogbene together would be electrifying for Ireland'

https://www.the42.ie/cj-hamilton-ireland-5737409-Apr2022/

Add Ebosele and, hopefully, Obafemi at his limit, and we could really start to scare defences.

[elatedscum]

kinda disappointed that no one in the FAI knew about CJ Hamilton. Pretty sure someone on one of the threads here posted that he was eligible in summer 2020 and there were articles about him and his background a little later.

Not blaming Kenny as I think it's more of an organisational issue within the FAI, and I think we've much improved in that respect under Stephen but I feel there's probably still a lot of stones being left unturned. For example, I could be wrong but I'd doubt there's anyone in the FAI who's heard of Liam Tiernan or Paul Nebel. By all account Mark O'Toole does excellent work in the UK finding kids early in their development but the late bloomers or the people based outside the UK or Ireland seem to often be ignored.

[Stuttgart88]

kinda disappointed that no one in the FAI knew about CJ Hamilton. I didn't get where I am today without scrupulously researching players' eligibility.

(I think only posters of a certain generation might get this one)

[seanfhear]

I didn't get where I am today without scrupulously researching players' eligibility.

(I think only posters of a certain generation might get this one)
Yes, CJ.

[third policeman]

Yes, CJ.

Visions of a hippopotamus.....

[SkStu]

Apologies if mentioned before, but just noticed Anthony Gordon from Everton is eligible via a Grandparent. Having a tidy enough game against United playing in midfield, where we are sadly lacking. Certainly a step up from Will Keane in terms of poaching off England.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Gordon_(footballer)

I was doing some googling yesterday after watching this lad and noticed that he qualified. Not sure i was totally aware of that but he would be a coup if we could snatch him. I dont think he is a particularly likeable player (lots of playacting and rolling around, likes a dive too) but he is very, very effective and his ability to relieve pressure would be such an asset to us against the bigger teams. Anyway, the likelihood is probably pretty low as he has been with England right through to U21 and he'll be on the radar but hoping that the FAI has, at least, been in touch with him. He reminds me a lot of Gordon Strachan, looks wise, and sure enough he qualifies for the Scots too.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bdb93/41001720.ece/AUTOCROP/w1240h700/bpanews_a861b03d-5ad3-4da3-a5d1-6717694f497b_1
http://t1.gstatic.com/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWlcHMbZQePThjlqpz47PCecixD_9iBI eatGZuCPikCcgxNgw2iXXehZ09UZ1P

[CraftyToePoke]

Played & scored for England U21s in March of this year, having turned 21 in February if my quick Wiki scan is correct ?
& doesn't that tie him to England under current rulings ?

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah, Conor Gallagher is in the same situation - played a competitive underage international after his 21st birthday

[SkStu]

Ah right - thank you both!

[elatedscum]

about half the interpretations i've read think that the u21 caps aren't binding after a 21st birthday, just senior ones. haven't ever seen anything definitive either way...

[Eirambler]

So the rule as I understand it is that if you take a competitive Under 21 cap after your 21st you're then limited to only playing for countries that you held the nationality of at the time of your first competitive underage cap (usually under 17 or under 19).

In practice what this seems to mean for potential Irish players is that your eligibility at that point depends on your link to Ireland. If you are born in Ireland or have a parent born in Ireland you are an Irish citizen from birth so you can take the under 21 caps for England or whoever for as long as you want and it won't make any difference - you can still play for Ireland.

But if your qualification is through a grandparent or grandparents it's different because (as we saw with the Ryan Johansson case) then you're not automatically an Irish citizen from birth. Instead you have to apply for citizenship. In that case, if you take the Under 21 cap for another country after your 21st birthday you're then ineligible for Ireland unless you had gone through the Irish citizenship paperwork process before your first competitive underage cap (In the end the Johansson issue was resolved only because Luxembourg capped him before he turned 21 and not after his 21st).

As I understand it Anthony Gordon qualified for us through a grandparent. He has taken an England under 21 cap after his 21st birthday. Therefore, unless he had gone and sorted his Irish citizenship before his first competitive underage cap for England (very unlikely), he's now ineligible for us.

For what it's worth Gordon may actually still be eligible for Scotland as English and Scottish is effectively the same citizenship - the UK. He was therefore a UK/Scottish citizen from birth so could presumably still qualify for Scotland. But it looks like he's gone for us and I'd say he won't be the last to become ineligible through this rule.

[CraftyToePoke]

As I understand it Anthony Gordon qualified for us through a grandparent. He has taken an England under 21 cap after his 21st birthday. Therefore, unless he had gone and sorted his Irish citizenship before his first competitive underage cap for England (very unlikely), he's now ineligible for us.

In this case, he first played underage for England in 2018 / 19 with their u18s. Played ten games for them so you'd imagine some of those were competitive & yes it is unlikely he sorted out his Irish paperwork as the rule change came after that or it was in flux around that time. Its not impossible though, either. These players are represented from very early on & agents are very attuned to the leverage benefits of a dual qualified client so it would be remiss of them not to take care of the paperwork to keep that avenue open even if there is no intention at the time of using it.

Id say any coming through at the moment would have that side of things taken care of, for whatever reason. Whether we still should have interest in them is another room splitting conversation.

[elatedscum]

Just so you know, U18 games are never competitive.

U17, U19 and U21 can be competitive uefa games.

U17 and u20 can be competitive fifa games if you qualify for the u17 or u20 World Cup.

[Eirambler]

Certainly you'd hope that for anyone who has come in and played non competitive underage games for us - say Louie Barry for example - that the FAI went and sorted out their paperwork at that point to avoid any such issues in future if he wanted to come back to us.

[CraftyToePoke]

Just so you know, U18 games are never competitive.

U17, U19 and U21 can be competitive uefa games.

U17 and u20 can be competitive fifa games if you qualify for the u17 or u20 World Cup.

Ah, wasn't thinking, sound. Well he has seven 19s caps the following year.

It'd be good to know for sure on this because till today I'd understood it differently to you guys.

[Kingdom]

He reminds me a lot of Gordon Strachan

He's a little cun-t so.