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.
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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.
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?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
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.
Are European clubs interested? Would he be interested in moving to Europe?
He has trained with Fulham anyway during the MLS 'off-season'.
Padraig Smith, ex FAI Finance Director has just moved to Colerado Rapids in a commercial role. He should have a word in his ear.
👼👂⚽️🇺🇸👍Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
All I see is a collection of six hollow squares.Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
It's a cryptic clue.
Choirboy / angel
Ear
Football
U.S. flag
Thumbs up
Choir Boy? You dirty old man Stutta!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Its a Saint!
Ah, gotcha!
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
He said there's been no contact from the FAI, but I thought he was approached by Noel King at one point?
Padraig is actually sporting director at the Rapids, not commercial director. He should definitely have a word.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Maybe he didn't know who Noel King was :)Quote:
Originally Posted by 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/s...us-254198.html
Trap only had eye for seniors: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...rs-245252.htmlQuote:
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.
Quote:
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.”
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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.
Maybe you'd like an infraction if you don't remove that post
King: "O'Neill didn't know I was Irish #clown"Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Article is online now: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30868412.html
This is the bit about the lack of contact from the FAI
The sidebar with the list of footballers with GAA roots is at the endQuote:
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 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.
Padraig Smith says Shane's preference is to play for Ireland. Interview with Dan McDonnell in the Indo here
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30881999.html
No direct quotes from Smith is a pity though but great to hear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I think the other article is very indicative
No direct quotes from Smith is a pity though but great to hear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I think the other article (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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
O'Neill is surely of the standard required for our under-21 side. That's the first step in all of this.
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.
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.
called up for a training camp with the US senior team: http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015...amp-roster-rel
there's a friendly against Panama at the end of the camp
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?
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
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 FAIQuote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Which is very, very strange. A quick look to Conor Doyle and Ryan Meara will show how strange it is.
I'd send an email just be on the safe side, it looks like a ****-up in the making.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
If he is good enough for the USA he is good enough for us and we should be showing an interest.
In the US senior squad for friendlies with Chile and Panama.
Looks like we will get what we deserve.