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Had this discussion a few years ago with a pal and I think we arrived at 6 players.
David Connolly
Gary Breen
Terry Phelan
Kevin Kilbane
I’m struggling now
…maybe Alan McLoughlin
Edit:
I'm not counting McGrath or the O'Learys or others who were reared in Ireland
Paul McGrath!
Dave O'Leary (and Pierce)
Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy too I guess
Sarcasm, I'm guessing.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Seán Maguire. Was born in Luton to Irish parents but only spent the first two months of his life there.
Wikipedia has a list of foreign-born players. Not sure how exhaustive it is.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...lic_of_Ireland
Shay Brennan is one who jumps out - could be wrong, but seeing as he moved back to Ireland to finish his playing career and stayed here, I get the feeling he was culturally Irish and unlikely to play for England.
Didn't even know Stephen McPhail was born in England. Curtis Fleming moved back home at a young age so he'd be similar to McGrath/O'Leary in that regard.
I suppose you could add Ogbene to that list too.
Ogbene was vocal about preferring to play for Nigeria when he first moved to the UK. He only declared for us after Kenny had a word with him in 2020.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat:cool:
Alan Kelly jr
Very interesting to see more guys born in Scotland then in N.Ireland played for usQuote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
I noticed at least one omission. It includes Micky Walsh (Blackpool / Everton / Porto etc) bot not near namesake Mike Walsh (Bolton / Everton / Norwich...). He also got caps for us.
Justin Ferizaj 😊
Why is that sarcastic? I know there were issues in terms of international schoolboy v club for both lads but they showed serious mettle to stay the course with us and, those issues aside, both have spoken about how playing for Ireland was motivated by their background and families and something both lads wanted to deliver on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
But did he play GAA like Jackie?Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
Was there not some anecdote about Phil Babb wearing an Irish jersey to school around Euro 88?
Re: Babb - he was 17 when Euro 88 happened - never mind my musings above. 🙂
Still. Too. Soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
I always got the impression that for Richard Keogh there was no other choice but Ireland. I think Alan McLoughlin (Fixer had question marks) is definitely another.
(great thread!)
That was Gary Been I thinkQuote:
Originally Posted by sadloserkid
Seamus (Jim) McDonagh.
Think his story got a good mention in Eoin Hands book a few years ago.
Didn't McGeady in particular talk about the atmosphere and environment amongst the underage groups with Ireland. Always felt welcomed and liked showing up because it was a positive environment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Compared to the reactions he would have gotten from some within Scotland because of the issues with int schoolboys vs club issue and then joining up with our underage teams at first it probably made his decision to stick with us even easier.
You also look at Rocco Vata to see how some lads in Scotland might have more affiliation to us than Scotland depending on the family. His only link to us is his mother's mother came from Ireland but Scotland would probably be his third choice.