Tim Cahill wanted to play for Ireland...

[an_ceannaire]

we have all heard the rumor. Ireland was his first choice, stopped by some arcaic rule that has since been disused etc etc......any truth to this, did we really nearly have Tim Cahill in our squad?

[Stuttgart88]

Are you trying to set a record for threads started in one morning (two of which are related to each other)?

[an_ceannaire]

No mate :) but i see your point. Noted .

[Drumcondra 69er]

we have all heard the rumor. Ireland was his first choice, stopped by some arcaic rule that has since been disused etc etc......any truth to this, did we really nearly have Tim Cahill in our squad?

Yes. Quick search of his wiki would've saved you the bother of starting another thread but here you go anyway!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1820871.stm

[carloz]

He certainly did. Desperatly wanted to get into our squad before the 2002 world cup, but couldn't as a result of having played for Samoa under 15s or somethings. Rules have since changed. McCarthy showed little interest in him. Bare in mind that he was with Millwall at the time and not the household name we now knew. Would love to have him now

[Emmet7]

He'd be too flash for Trapattoni. If he left out a guy who plays guitar, what chance would Cahill have?

[Closed Account 2]

He is a superb player, fantastic talent.

[Stuttgart88]

Real class I think. Amazed he's only at Everton.

[dr_peepee]

He certainly did. Desperatly wanted to get into our squad before the 2002 world cup, but couldn't as a result of having played for Samoa under 15s or somethings. Rules have since changed. McCarthy showed little interest in him. Bare in mind that he was with Millwall at the time and not the household name we now knew.


So was Steven Reid though...

[Deckydee]

We must improve the search function of this site :o)