Oh, it's definitely interesting. If it was just "these players have a connection with Ireland, keep watching them" I'd have no issue with it.
Putting pressure on the FAI for something that they've no idea if it's being done or not is annoying, and it's always the same old ding dong with these accounts
What are their connections to Ireland?
Ben Lyne has Clare roots. Was born in England but lived here for a bit.Originally Posted by Fixer82
David Eze was born in Dublin but moved to England when he was six.
Tommi O'Reilly scored for Crewe at the weekend. On loan from Aston Villa.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
I think it was previously established that he isn't eligible?
I get what you mean, and like everything else in life it’s a trade-off. But I’d say the potential positives outweigh the negatives you mention in relation to these youth players.
Jack Moorhouse on the bench for Man Utd tonight against Everton. A bit surprising given that his loan to Leighton Orient was canceled after it didnt go well earlier this season
Its really not that complicated!!!
Reptracker on twitter saying Atherton from Chelsea has switched to us. Is a 2008 so same group as the recent world cup under 17 squad. Lots of talk a few years ago that he was in with development squads for us at 13 or 14 but we let him.slip through to the north. As usual people trying to beat the fai unnecessarily and clearly relationships have been maintained and the long goal of having him come on board has been achieved. We'll done to fai development staff on this
Officially confirmed on the FIFA Change of Association platform also. It's the first time I've seen an Irish player feature on that. Great work to get him in.
A shame - for himself as much as anything - that he missed out on the World Cup. Much as it's easier to get caps with the north at all grades, the likelihood of playing at the big underage tournament finals is greatly reduced for the players that choose to go down that route.
Last edited by Eirambler; 26/02/2026 at 8:45 AM.
FIFA might want to check the date of decision on the platform
https://knowledge.fifa.com/change-of...ation-platform
Looks like Atherton will be eligible for the u17s, he wasn't in the northern Ireland squad that played in the first round of qualifiers in October
https://www.irishfa.com/news/2025/oc...alifiers-named
You'd hope it might have a domino effect and lads like Joel kerr, and madden will follow.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/a...s/cx2l0wgk71po
I hadn't realised this , it's a nice added touch
It seems fitting that their ambassador at the announcement of a tournament that they're not now going to host has turned out to be a player who is not now going to play for them.
Perhaps, if they take the time to look at some of the abuse the Atherton family has received in the last day or so, it might make them think a bit harder about just who exactly it is that they're representing when they line out for the north.
A tweet from his dad...
https://x.com/i/status/2027034139858231577
Last edited by Eirambler; 26/02/2026 at 7:38 PM.
The 'he should play for his country' really shows how much ignorance people still have for the laws set out in the Good Friday agreement. Fair dues to his father for having his back
Funny thing is 2 games ago they had 9 English/Scottish born players on the pitch over the 90 mins.
Any chelsea fans know how he's viewed in that set up? That's a tough academy for anyone to come through from. I'd assume, like everyone else there his next move is a series of loan moves, but my question is is he a year away from this process, or could he likely be in that mixer this summer coming?
Mixer this summer
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