Conor Bradley was never going to switch to the Republic, says Declan Devine
Bohemians boss Declan Devine believes there was never a question of his former protégé Conor Bradley choosing the Republic of Ireland over Northern Ireland as he was embedded in the IFA’s set-up at an early age.
Derry native Devine had a spell on the IFA staff and played a role in converting Bradley from being an attacking player into a full-back.
A photo which emerged of a young Bradley wearing a Republic of Ireland top provoked debate about his international allegiance, even though the Tyrone lad is firmly committed to Northern Ireland with no prospect of a change of heart.
And Devine says he stayed out of that conversation as Bradley and his family were content with Conor’s place in the Northern Ireland panel.
“From my point of view, I never had to work with that at all. That would always be a decision for the player and family. I’ve never influenced any players before,” said Devine.
“I’ve had players who’ve moved from one association to the other. That’s something as a coach or manager you never get involved in. To be fair to Conor, he’s extremely well treated by the Irish Football Association, there has been a lot of development there.
“That’s a decision Conor and his family made, that’s credit to them. Certainly he is a lad who would have had attention from both associations.
“There’s been changes with other players but he’s seen that as the path he wanted to take, and the family wanted to take. Good luck to him,” added Devine, who first worked with Bradley with Northern Ireland’s emerging talent squad when he was 12.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...327319114.html
Bohemians boss Declan Devine believes there was never a question of his former protégé Conor Bradley choosing the Republic of Ireland over Northern Ireland as he was embedded in the IFA’s set-up at an early age.
Derry native Devine had a spell on the IFA staff and played a role in converting Bradley from being an attacking player into a full-back.
A photo which emerged of a young Bradley wearing a Republic of Ireland top provoked debate about his international allegiance, even though the Tyrone lad is firmly committed to Northern Ireland with no prospect of a change of heart.
And Devine says he stayed out of that conversation as Bradley and his family were content with Conor’s place in the Northern Ireland panel.
“From my point of view, I never had to work with that at all. That would always be a decision for the player and family. I’ve never influenced any players before,” said Devine.
“I’ve had players who’ve moved from one association to the other. That’s something as a coach or manager you never get involved in. To be fair to Conor, he’s extremely well treated by the Irish Football Association, there has been a lot of development there.
“That’s a decision Conor and his family made, that’s credit to them. Certainly he is a lad who would have had attention from both associations.
“There’s been changes with other players but he’s seen that as the path he wanted to take, and the family wanted to take. Good luck to him,” added Devine, who first worked with Bradley with Northern Ireland’s emerging talent squad when he was 12.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...327319114.html
makes me think of 90's GAA footballer Tommy
Comment