Thomas Delaney

[DannyInvincible]

Was just having a look at the Copenhagen squad there in light of Shamrock Rovers being drawn against them in the Champions League qualifiers (assuming they finish the job against Flora) and came across a 19-year-old with them called Thomas Joseph Delaney. Obviously the name with a little Danish flag next to it stood out.

Turns out he's of Irish-American descent and has represented Denmark at various under-age levels up to under-21 level.

I wonder is he eligible for us. This is translated from a Danish article on him:

The first name is Danish, the middle name is American (the father), and the last name is Irish (after a more distant relatives), but the boy and his football ambitions are arch-Copenhagen, the 18-year-old Thomas Joseph Delaney is aiming for the highest that can, in his opinion can achieve in Danish football, solid man and captain of FC Copenhagen.

Perhaps he has Irish grandparents? I always thought of Joseph, like Mary, as a common given name in Ireland and within populations with strong Irish Catholic roots.

[CraftyToePoke]

Interesting, but the 'distant relatives' hints at it being further back in his lineage. Worth a mail to the relevant FAI dept maybe Danny?

[mark12345]

There are thousands of Thomas Joseph Delaneys waiting to be plucked in America, if only the FAI would get the finger out. They're not very proactive on that scene.

[youngirish]

Hurry up and get him to sign up quick maybe he could be our next Joseph Lapira.

He sounds about as Irish as cherry pie.

[DannyInvincible]

Interesting, but the 'distant relatives' hints at it being further back in his lineage. Worth a mail to the relevant FAI dept maybe Danny?

That's true, although it is a dodgy Google Chrome translation, so I'm not sure if it's worth reading into meaning behind the specifics too much. It was the father's name that had me suspecting the grandparents themselves might have been Irish-born. I assume the FAI have employees who track the goings-on on the forums, but I'll send off an e-mail anyway.

Hurry up and get him to sign up quick maybe he could be our next Joseph Lapira.

He sounds about as Irish as cherry pie.

Out of interest, how did the FAI come across Lapira again? Were they alerted to his eligibility by an Irish-American coach who knew someone in the FAI or something?

[theworm2345]

Out of interest, how did the FAI come across Lapira again? Were they alerted to his eligibility by an Irish-American coach who knew someone in the FAI or something?

Pretty sure his uncle worked (or works) for the FAI. Regarding Delaney, I doubt he is eligible.

[youngirish]

Out of interest, how did the FAI come across Lapira again? Were they alerted to his eligibility by an Irish-American coach who knew someone in the FAI or something?

From my memory (which is no longer what it used to be I must confess) his mother was the sister of someone high up in the FAI so that was enough to guarantee you a cap during Staunton's tenure.

Those were the days.

[CraftyToePoke]

I assume the FAI have employees who track the goings-on on the forums, but I'll send off an e-mail anyway.

You would like to think so but it really does seem Dunne hearing Ciaran Clarke's parents accent was the first inkling he was Irish. Already a Prem player and former captain of England U19's by then. But then they also unearth real treasure in the likes of Paul Green.

Who knows.
Who can tell.

[Stuttgart88]

Hurry up and get him to sign up quick maybe he could be our next Joseph Lapira.

He sounds about as Irish as cherry pie.

Welcome back.

I bet you were lurking for ages and that post from mark1234 just tipped you over the edge. I'd have felt the same.

FAI aren't capping enough players with Irish names in America - the next national scandal.

[youngirish]

Thanks Stutts. Did you miss me?

I've been following the forums on and off. A lot of talk about elligibility which has been done to death imho.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming season as it could be a big one for some of the younger players like Coleman, McCarthy, Gibson, Wilson and Meyler (is he still injured he's been left out of the Sunderland squad on their pre season tour - if so not good news he looked decent a couple of years ago). I see McCann is back from a long layoff also so I'm hoping he will pick up were he left off as I've always rated him. Adam Rooney has also got a good move to Birmingham so hopefully he can carry over his scoring form from Inverness (which in fairness is a big ask) as he's found himself at a good club with a good opportunity.