Shane O'Neill(Colorado Rapids)

[irishultra]

He's expected to make the USMNT's 2018 squad, and probably start. Has anyone watched him much? Seems to be open to either option. If he was a starter for the US its pretty much expected he'd be good enough to start for Ireland.

[DannyInvincible]

I'd thought there was a thread on Shane O'Neill already, but it seems not. I can't find it anyway if there is... He has been mentioned a few times in various threads and is certainly highly thought of in the US. I've not seen much of him, but this was a goal he scored a few months back:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3zuFy7XK-o

Would be be the first case of a Republic-born player representing the team of another nation or jurisdiction?

[DannyInvincible]

He features in an interview here:


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

Not a hint of a Cork brogue about him.

Can't find much else on YouTube.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He features in an interview here:


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

Not a hint of a Cork brogue about him.

Can't find much else on YouTube.

There is plenty of Irish people who have never stepped foot in America that have American accents.

[Olé Olé]

Spent all his summers in Ireland between his father's homeplace and his mother's where his legendary uncle Maurice Fitzgerald lives. Very tight knit family in Caherciveen where they all join to watch his matches on the telly.

I've said it elsewhere but I really think that if he were to move to the PL (or Europe in general) then we'd have a good shot of getting him to play for us. At the moment, he's playing in the MLS and living in America. It'd be a big departure to declare for Ireland. Move to the Premier League and I would imagine the pressure to play for the US would be alleviated somewhat and the proximity to Ireland and connection with his family there would become factors.

[DannyInvincible]

Are European clubs interested? Would he be interested in moving to Europe?

[Olé Olé]

He has trained with Fulham anyway during the MLS 'off-season'.

[Stuttgart88]

Padraig Smith, ex FAI Finance Director has just moved to Colerado Rapids in a commercial role. He should have a word in his ear.

[the doc]

Padraig Smith, ex FAI Finance Director has just moved to Colerado Rapids in a commercial role. He should have a word in his ear.

👼👂⚽️🇺🇸👍

[DannyInvincible]

👼👂⚽️🇺🇸👍

All I see is a collection of six hollow squares.

[Stuttgart88]

It's a cryptic clue.

Choirboy / angel
Ear
Football
U.S. flag
Thumbs up

[the doc]

It's a cryptic clue.

Choirboy / angel
Ear
Football
U.S. flag
Thumbs up

Choir Boy? You dirty old man Stutta!

Its a Saint!

[Stuttgart88]

Ah, gotcha!

[tetsujin1979]

interview with him in today's Independent, article isn't online though. Sidebar has a list of Irish players with a GAA background - Quinn, Moran, Long, Egan

[Paddy Garcia]

interview with him in today's Independent, article isn't online though. Sidebar has a list of Irish players with a GAA background - Quinn, Moran, Long, Egan

Does he remain a prospect?

[tetsujin1979]

He said there's been no contact from the FAI, but I thought he was approached by Noel King at one point?

[Stuttgart88]

Padraig Smith, ex FAI Finance Director has just moved to Colerado Rapids in a commercial role. He should have a word in his ear.
Padraig is actually sporting director at the Rapids, not commercial director. He should definitely have a word.

[Stuttgart88]

He said there's been no contact from the FAI, but I thought he was approached by Noel King at one point?
Maybe he didn't know who Noel King was :)

[tetsujin1979]

There's two article on the examiner's site that claim there was contact:
O'Neill likely to declare for US: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/oneill-now-likely-to-declare-for-us-254198.html

Ireland U21 boss Noel King reached out to the 20-year-old about possibly switching over and he revealed to the Irish Examiner back in October he was open about pulling on the green jersey.
Trap only had eye for seniors: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/trap-had-only-eyes-for-seniors-245252.html

However, the United States U20 cap Shane O’Neill, whose father Colm won two football All-Irelands with Cork in 1989 and 1990, is interested in committing to the Irish cause.
“We were thinking of bringing Shane in but it hasn’t got to that point yet,” said McCue. “There has been contact and I think it could work out for us in the future.”

[Olé Olé]

interview with him in today's Independent, article isn't online though. Sidebar has a list of Irish players with a GAA background - Quinn, Moran, Long, Egan

That list could be pretty long. Without making too much of a sweeping generalisation, I would imagine many of the Irish players from outside of Dublin would have been very good GAA players at a younger age. Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle were also handy. There's also Meyler, who comes from a pretty staunch GAA background, like Egan. I'm sure some of these were mentioned in the article.

Btw, I make this generalisation on the basis that in Kerry, some of the most recent exports to the English game have all been pretty excellent Gaelic footballers (Diarmuid O'Carroll, Brendan Moloney, Billy Dennehy for sure). Not to mention JJ Hanrahan of Munster rugby.

As regards O'Neill, he's at a crossroads in terms of coming over to Ireland. He's 21 now and is playing under-23 with the USA, whilst he has trained with the seniors. Does being born in September 1993 make him eligible for our under-21's for much longer? And is he close to being of the requisite standard to train with our senior side?

That said, there does appear to be precedence in our willingness to call-up Ryan Meara (for training) who has less MLS games than O'Neill. I won't even mention Joe Lapira.

Incidentally, Meara has been signed on loan by New York City FC for the 2015 MLS season, where he will play alongside David Villa. Interestingly, his competition between the sticks there is a chap by the name of Akira Fitzgerald, born in Japan.

[tetsujin1979]

Maybe you'd like an infraction if you don't remove that post

[Charlie Darwin]

Maybe he didn't know who Noel King was :)
King: "O'Neill didn't know I was Irish #clown"

[tetsujin1979]

Article is online now: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/american-heart-irish-blood-team-usas-debt-to-gaa-30868412.html
This is the bit about the lack of contact from the FAI

As I haven't played in a competitive international with the USA I'm still eligible to represent Ireland which would be amazing but since no one has ever approached me the question of me playing for the country has never arisen. I was born here (in St. Finbar's hospital on the South Douglas road) and I feel very proud of being Irish… we'll just have to wait and see what happens," he explains.
The sidebar with the list of footballers with GAA roots is at the end

[Charlie Darwin]

The FAI should really be keeping tabs on players. I read Dave Hannigan's book the Garrison Game before Christmas, and it was clear that before the Charlton days the FAI relied on journalists or family members letting them know a player was eligible.

[Stuttgart88]

Padraig Smith says Shane's preference is to play for Ireland. Interview with Dan McDonnell in the Indo here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/moneyball-student-preparing-to-seize-his-shot-at-the-american-dream-after-rapid-rise-to-the-top-30881999.html

[Olé Olé]

Padraig Smith says Shane's preference is to play for Ireland. Interview with Dan McDonnell in the Indo here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/moneyball-student-preparing-to-seize-his-shot-at-the-american-dream-after-rapid-rise-to-the-top-30881999.html

No direct quotes from Smith is a pity though but great to hear.

I think the other article is very indicative

[Olé Olé]

Padraig Smith says Shane's preference is to play for Ireland. Interview with Dan McDonnell in the Indo here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/moneyball-student-preparing-to-seize-his-shot-at-the-american-dream-after-rapid-rise-to-the-top-30881999.html

No direct quotes from Smith is a pity though but great to hear.

I think the other article (www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/american-heart-irish-blood-team-usas-debt-to-gaa-30868412.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/american-heart-irish-blood-team-usas-debt-to-gaa-30868412.html)) is very interesting also. His father stating that getting the call-up for Ireland would be "a huge deal" and his mother's desire to return to Ireland are quite indicative of a willingness to accept a call-up. I am speculating here but it is possible that his parents see their long-term future in Ireland- it's not likely they envisage being 70+ year-old publicans tending to blotted 21 year-olds in the college town in which they currently operate.

I'd also restate the fact that the boys spent almost every single summer growing up in Ireland (I have been informed by a close first cousin). Add to this the fact that Shane was born in Ireland and has exclusively Irish blood, there are a few factors which point to a willingness to play for us but not willing to throw in his lot whilst he is being picked by the USA- I'd deem this fair enough. But, as it stands, we haven't called him up. I find this quite strange given that Conor Doyle received an Irish cap. Maybe the issue is that Doyle was at Derby in the Championship. That potential move to Middlesborough could move O'Neill another step closer.

[tricky_colour]

Surely the issue is whether he is good enough for Ireland?
Hard to judge the ability of players in the MLS, playing for U21 is no guarantee of playing for the seniors, far from it.

[Olé Olé]

Surely the issue is whether he is good enough for Ireland?
Hard to judge the ability of players in the MLS, playing for U21 is no guarantee of playing for the seniors, far from it.

Very valid point but the question arises because he hasn't been called up to our under-21's at all. If we use the recent drubbing of the USA as a rough barometer then O'Neill isn't worthy of a senior call-up yet. But why hasn't he been called up to our under-21's? Has there been resistence on his part to this or on the FAI's part? These are the questions that are providing cause for discussion, I think.

O'Neill is surely of the standard required for our under-21 side. That's the first step in all of this.

[geysir]

Isn't Shane is too old to be called up to the u21 squad? At least he's too old for the next u21 competitive squad.
Regardless, I can't see him getting a call up, unless he transfers to some european team.
Even you'd have to question the sanity of flying Robbie to and fro, a 14 hour flight, 8 hours time difference, just to be a bit part player, while his club was in the midst of a heavy league schedule.

[DannyInvincible]

He's 21 as of the 2nd of September last, having been born in 1993. Does that rule him out? I'd say it must.

[tetsujin1979]

called up for a training camp with the US senior team: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/01/09/11/46/150109-mnt-january-camp-roster-rel
there's a friendly against Panama at the end of the camp

[DannyInvincible]

What are the chances he'd reject a senior competitive fixture call-up for the US (men's national soccer team) on the basis he'd be holding out for a call from the Emerald Isle?

[tetsujin1979]

Hard to say, but it's the second time he's been called up for a training camp by the U.S., on the other hand he maintains there's been no contact from the FAI, so if nothing else at least the U.S.are making it clear they want him to play for them

[DannyInvincible]

It is fair to assume the FAI are aware of him, surely? Or might an e-mail be in order? He is reasonably high-profile and Padraig Smith has at least informal FAI connections, so you'd imagine he's on someone's radar at the FAI.

[tetsujin1979]

It is fair to assume the FAI are aware of him, surely? Or might an e-mail be in order? He is reasonably high-profile and Padraig Smith has at least informal FAI connections, so you'd imagine he's on someone's radar at the FAI.
I'd say they are, at least Noel King has mentioned him. But O'Neill said in the interview last week that there was no contact from the FAI

[Olé Olé]

I'd say they are, at least Noel King has mentioned him. But O'Neill said in the interview last week that there was no contact from the FAI


Which is very, very strange. A quick look to Conor Doyle and Ryan Meara will show how strange it is.

[tricky_colour]

It is fair to assume the FAI are aware of him, surely? Or might an e-mail be in order? He is reasonably high-profile and Padraig Smith has at least informal FAI connections, so you'd imagine he's on someone's radar at the FAI.

I'd send an email just be on the safe side, it looks like a ****-up in the making.

If he is good enough for the USA he is good enough for us and we should be showing an interest.

[Charlie Darwin]

In the US senior squad for friendlies with Chile and Panama.

[Paddy Garcia]

Looks like we will get what we deserve.

[DannyInvincible]

It appears that O'Neill stated to Balls.ie in 2013 that Noel King had been in touch with him, but that he turned down an invite because he was already in a US training camp: http://balls.ie/football/jurgen-klinsmann-calls-cork-born-defender-senior-usa-squad/


So why is he not playing for Ireland? We spoke to Shane back in May 2013 and even then it seemed he had his heart set on representing his adopted homeland. The O’Neill’s moved from Cork to Colorado when Darragh and Shane were young boys and although they returned to Ireland every summer, Shane told us that, away from home at least, he does feel more American.


My parents both come from Ireland, they lived there for 30 years, so it’s a very Irish culture at home. Around my friends though I feel American. It’s a bit of both I suppose.

That’s not to say Ireland weren’t interested. O’Neill was invited to train with the u-21’s a number of times but as a product of the American underage system, he decided to stay where he was and now, it must be said, that decision has born fruit.


I’ve talked to the Ireland Under-21 manager a few times and I was asked to go over for a few days of training before the game against Holland, but I was already in camp with the U.S team so it didn’t work out.

I’m just taking it in stride, I’ll see what opportunities come but I’m not going to close any doors, I’m up for anything. I’m not too worried about it right now. I’m just focused on paying with the U.S Under-20s and I’ll see what happens.

Here was the original interview from May of 2013: http://balls.ie/football/shane-oneill-interview/

[the doc]

It appears that O'Neill stated to Balls.ie in 2013 that Noel King had been in touch with him, but that he turned down an invite because he was already in a US training camp: http://balls.ie/football/jurgen-klinsmann-calls-cork-born-defender-senior-usa-squad/



Here was the original interview from May of 2013: http://balls.ie/football/shane-oneill-interview/

The thought of Mrs Brown attempting to try and convince someone to be one of her boys just about sums up the FAI!

Sunday Pub Team manager at best!

[DannyInvincible]

The thought of Mrs Brown attempting to try and convince someone to be one of her boys just about sums up the FAI!

Sunday Pub Team manager at best!

Noel King? The lad was already in a US squad and seems to feel more American outside the home. Those were the reasons he gave for rejecting the invitation. Why do you automatically assume it's King's fault?

Besides, the FAI have convinced many talented dual nationals to play for us over the years, so it's not as if they're completely failing on the recruitment front. I mean, they even have a bit of a reputation amongst begrudgers and ignoramuses; we were often subjected to being called the "England 'B' team" over the years (someone check the recent head-to-head records...) and NI fans bitterly refer to us as "the Beggars", which, if meant completely neutrally, is utterly hypocritical and lacking in any sense of self-awareness, although I do suspect there's an added element of haughty and bigoted Chosen-People-type social supremacy underlying that as well.

[the doc]

Noel King? The lad was already in a US squad and seems to feel more American outside the home. Those were the reasons he gave for rejecting the invitation. Why do you automatically assume it's King's fault

Klinsmann or Mrs Brown?

Who would you listen to?

Im a YDD!!!!!😉

[DannyInvincible]

To be honest, I'm not sure which of them; Klinsmann's twang is pretty hard to listen to as well!

In seriousness, I see your point, so I've emailed the FAI just to be certain he's on the radar and to suggest that maybe someone senior gets in touch with the lad. Let's hope my massive influence holds sway...

What's a YDD, by the way?

[Stuttgart88]

Im guessing Yankee Doodle Dandy?

[DannyInvincible]

A Yearning De-affiliated Defender, maybe?

[DannyInvincible]

I got a reply and my email has been forwarded on to the International Department for their attention.

[geysir]

I got a reply and my email has been forwarded on to the International Department for their attention.

The FAI International Department?

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQY4KYecd5R33C_fCQhRijgS8-TXK6S7s3PjOPmpOV51BPHAJ6_


By now it seems that Klinsmann has called up just about every tom, dick and harry available to the USA's squad, for their past/future spate of friendlies.

[DannyInvincible]

'Ireland face missing out on rising US star Shane O'Neill': http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/ireland-face-missing-out-on-rising-us-star-shane-o-neill-1.2099554


O’Neill has spoken with Noel King, Ireland’s under-21 manager, “here and there” but “not a whole lot”. King had invited O’Neill to an under-21 camp before a 2013 friendly against the Netherlands, but at that point he was already training with the US under-20 team.

“I’ve never had any real contact with them, in terms of a call-up,” O’Neill said about the Irish national youth programme.

US manager Jurgen Klinsmann is also happy with O’Neill, who is young enough to play in next year’s Olympics, if the Americans qualify. “He’s a very important prospect for our Olympic team,” Klinsmann said. “He’s getting better one step at a time. It’s a real pleasure to work with him.”

O’Neill made Klinsmann’s 18-man match roster for the US’s last two friendlies. But despite never representing Ireland, O’Neill has not yet made a formal commitment to the US. “It’s down to whatever feels right for me,” he said. “When it comes, if I ever have to make that decision, I’ll know.”

Interesting comment beneath the article:


Shane O'Neill wrote to the FAI some time ago when he was starting out, told them he was Irish qualified and was playing in the MLS and that he wanted to be considered to play for Ireland. The FAI wrote back to him and said that if he wanted to pay his own way over for a trial he could do so. No wonder we have such a poor international team when they potentially leave a very good player slip away in such a poor fashion.