Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Quote
Irish Times
O'Hara set for a callup...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...265037837.html
.......There is unlikely to be much rancour, on the other hand, in the event that O’Hara and a couple of the other England-born players, who are eligible to play for the Republic, confirm – as Trapattoni suggested some will – their intention to make themselves available to the Italian for selection this side of the summer.
The Tottenham midfielder, currently on loan to Portsmouth, was not identified by name, but, Trapattoni said: “We have another two or three (new players). Sometimes when we talk and the story goes into the newspapers, other teams call and play them so we don’t want to say names.
“But they are on standby. They are very good players. There is one in particular. Left-footed though he doesn’t always play on the left. I cannot say the name. But we need to prepare the documentation before they come with us.”
O’Hara, capped seven times at under-21 level by England but eligible for both the Republic and Northern Ireland since last year’s Fifa rule changes, appears to fit the bill for the left-footed player, while Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan and Gary Cahill are amongst the most prominent of the other players entitled to switch their allegiance.
Hearld
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/br...r-2073917.html
..........Once we get to August and the opening fixtures in the Euro 2012 campaign, it would be very difficult to bring either of them back -- especially if Trapattoni has managed to sign up Jamie O'Hara in the meantime.
I notice an unnamed Irish player has spoken out about the latest batch of potential recruits who might be available under the new FIFA rules, but I find that very odd indeed. Apparently, the problem is the fact that they turned out for England when they were teenagers and, on the face of it, I can see why that might bother some.
But not every kid in England with Irish heritage is brought up in an environment that encourages loyalty to the country of his parents or grandparents.
Personally, I think Trapattoni should be out there looking for new blood. He should be down at Fratton Park chatting with O'Hara, or at any of the other grounds around England where he might bump into someone with the right qualifications.
That's his job and we need only recall when Jack Charlton arrived in Oxford with John Aldridge in his sights and left with a bonus -- Ray Houghton.
Independent
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...s-2074813.html
............IRELAND'S player pool is set to be boosted on the double with Jamie O'Hara to commit to the cause and talented Everton defender Shane Duffy rocking Northern Ireland by performing an about-turn on his international intentions.
Spurs midfielder O'Hara, currently on loan with Portsmouth, is ready to capitalise on a change in FIFA eligibility rules which allow an individual who has lined out for one country at U-21 level to switch his allegiances and play for another at senior level.
Irish-qualified O'Hara represented England in the European U-21 Championships but is understood to be interested in pulling on the green jersey.
Giovanni Trapattoni refused to mention him by name yesterday, but admitted there was someone on the way -- once the relevant papers are processed -- who is a left-footed player, although not necessarily a left-winger.
When the name of O'Hara -- who fits the description -- was put directly to the Irish boss he smiled and made a quip about not knowing who that was.
"There are others we can wait until next month for," he said. "They play in England, and their father or grandfather is Irish. They can play with us. There is one. We need to prepare the documentation.
"I do not wish to say who the players are because it can then end up in the media and there is pressure. There is one who is particularly interested. He is the left-sided player."
brilliant!
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