He's expected to make the USMNT's 2018 squad, and probably start. Has anyone watched him much? Seems to be open to either option. If he was a starter for the US its pretty much expected he'd be good enough to start for Ireland.
I'd thought there was a thread on Shane O'Neill already, but it seems not. I can't find it anyway if there is... He has been mentioned a few times in various threads and is certainly highly thought of in the US. I've not seen much of him, but this was a goal he scored a few months back:
Would be be the first case of a Republic-born player representing the team of another nation or jurisdiction?
He features in an interview here:
Not a hint of a Cork brogue about him.
Can't find much else on YouTube.
There is plenty of Irish people who have never stepped foot in America that have American accents.Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Spent all his summers in Ireland between his father's homeplace and his mother's where his legendary uncle Maurice Fitzgerald lives. Very tight knit family in Caherciveen where they all join to watch his matches on the telly.
I've said it elsewhere but I really think that if he were to move to the PL (or Europe in general) then we'd have a good shot of getting him to play for us. At the moment, he's playing in the MLS and living in America. It'd be a big departure to declare for Ireland. Move to the Premier League and I would imagine the pressure to play for the US would be alleviated somewhat and the proximity to Ireland and connection with his family there would become factors.
Are European clubs interested? Would he be interested in moving to Europe?
He has trained with Fulham anyway during the MLS 'off-season'.
Padraig Smith, ex FAI Finance Director has just moved to Colerado Rapids in a commercial role. He should have a word in his ear.
👼👂⚽️🇺🇸👍
All I see is a collection of six hollow squares.
It's a cryptic clue.
Choirboy / angel
Ear
Football
U.S. flag
Thumbs up
Choir Boy? You dirty old man Stutta!
Its a Saint!
Ah, gotcha!
Does he remain a prospect?
He said there's been no contact from the FAI, but I thought he was approached by Noel King at one point?
Padraig is actually sporting director at the Rapids, not commercial director. He should definitely have a word.
Maybe he didn't know who Noel King was
There's two article on the examiner's site that claim there was contact:
O'Neill likely to declare for US: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...us-254198.html
Trap only had eye for seniors: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...rs-245252.htmlIreland U21 boss Noel King reached out to the 20-year-old about possibly switching over and he revealed to the Irish Examiner back in October he was open about pulling on the green jersey.
However, the United States U20 cap Shane O’Neill, whose father Colm won two football All-Irelands with Cork in 1989 and 1990, is interested in committing to the Irish cause.
“We were thinking of bringing Shane in but it hasn’t got to that point yet,” said McCue. “There has been contact and I think it could work out for us in the future.”
That list could be pretty long. Without making too much of a sweeping generalisation, I would imagine many of the Irish players from outside of Dublin would have been very good GAA players at a younger age. Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle were also handy. There's also Meyler, who comes from a pretty staunch GAA background, like Egan. I'm sure some of these were mentioned in the article.
Btw, I make this generalisation on the basis that in Kerry, some of the most recent exports to the English game have all been pretty excellent Gaelic footballers (Diarmuid O'Carroll, Brendan Moloney, Billy Dennehy for sure). Not to mention JJ Hanrahan of Munster rugby.
As regards O'Neill, he's at a crossroads in terms of coming over to Ireland. He's 21 now and is playing under-23 with the USA, whilst he has trained with the seniors. Does being born in September 1993 make him eligible for our under-21's for much longer? And is he close to being of the requisite standard to train with our senior side?
That said, there does appear to be precedence in our willingness to call-up Ryan Meara (for training) who has less MLS games than O'Neill. I won't even mention Joe Lapira.
Incidentally, Meara has been signed on loan by New York City FC for the 2015 MLS season, where he will play alongside David Villa. Interestingly, his competition between the sticks there is a chap by the name of Akira Fitzgerald, born in Japan.
Last edited by Olé Olé; 03/01/2015 at 8:24 PM.
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