You still can't do it.
With the likes of Cirkin, playing for the U-21's whilst actually 22, it's a case of being inside the cut-off at the time the latest 2 year tournament cycle commenced. So that you could have someone born just a day before the 2023 cut-off, but still playing in eg the Finals in 2025, having already just turned 23 year old.
I just looked up the Olympics rules - was applied in 1992 with the overage allowance introduced in 1996. About 30 years ago. Would this not be it or do you have examples for U21?
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
In my desire to help you out Old Man, I came across this excellent article (a bit dated) which compares Ireland performance at U21 compared to other nations from a few different perspectives - but it also contained this relevant nugget... I cant find anything else online but the way it is written in the quote below implies that you were able to do it in the 1988 U21 campaign - and possibly only that campaign...?
https://futsalfinn.wordpress.com/201...-best-nations/
Some items to note from this squad: (1) it included twins Patrick and Eamonn Dolan. While the old Rothman’s Yearbook listed them as born in Hammersmith, Patrick has always insisted they were born in Galway. Without calling Interpol in to investigate, we’ll take him at his word so that is one asterisk! (2) Gerry Daly was included in one game as an overage player, which teams were allowed do in that campaign. His 48 senior caps also skews the caps average of that squad.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
It would be more consistent with the other age groups if they called it an Under 23 competition. Under 17s and Under 19s are for players that turn 17 and 19 the year the finals take place, Under 21s is the outlier as it's based on the year the qualifiers start.
Qualification for the U21 tournament takes much longer. Qualification for the U17 and U19 tournaments starts less then a year before the tournament, for the U21 tournament, qualification starts nearly two years before it kicks off
This is true for Cerkin but not true for kids born after 24th of June 2004. A friend of mine from Brazil (former professional footballer), his kid was born in Ireland 3 or 4 years ago. He's an Italian citizen and had been living in Ireland for 2.5 years before the birth and needed to be living here for 3 years. They stayed here for 2 years after the birth before he moved back to Brazil. So if the kid ends up being a footballer, they won't end up playing for Ireland.
Had a similar but different situation with another Brazilian lad I used to play with. His son (probably born in either 2011 or I think 2012) is playing 3 age groups up with Porto and can play for Brazil, Poland, Spain and soon Portugal but not Ireland, which is a real shame as I really think he'll be a youth international at the very least.
Noticed this guy on Australia's team - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiden_O%27Neill
He had previously been contacted by the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association but reiterated that his preference was to play for Australia.
Just noticed that Dylan Lawlor (19), nine U-19 caps for Wales and on the fringe of the Cardiff City first team, is shown on Transfermarkt as eligible for Ireland too. Yet another centre-back!
That made me go hunting. Anyone heard of Tomas O Connor in Argentina?
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/toma...pieler/1027880
Another goal for Paul Nebel, this time in a 3-1 defeat to Dortmund. I think that’s 8 goals in 25 games this season; 2 assists. He plays an inside right type role in a 3421. Him and Azaz behind Parrot or Fergie…
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comm...paul_nebel_76/
He was asked about it recently - https://onefootball.com/es/noticias/...nthem-40865900
“I know that option exists, but I’ve been with the DFB since the U15s,” Nebel said when questioned about the potential of representing the Boys in Green. “It always means a great deal to me to be here and sing the national anthem. Germany is my home,” added Nebel.
I read other quotes recently by him that were a bit more open to the idea. Those not so much. But sure we can always dream.
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