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Thread: Foreign born but were only ever going to play for Ireland

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    Seasoned Pro Fixer82's Avatar
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    Foreign born but were only ever going to play for Ireland

    Had this discussion a few years ago with a pal and I think we arrived at 6 players.

    David Connolly
    Gary Breen
    Terry Phelan
    Kevin Kilbane

    I’m struggling now
    …maybe Alan McLoughlin

    Edit:
    I'm not counting McGrath or the O'Learys or others who were reared in Ireland
    Last edited by Fixer82; 20/09/2022 at 10:32 PM.

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    Paul McGrath!

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    Biased against YOUR club pineapple stu's Avatar
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    Dave O'Leary (and Pierce)

    Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy too I guess

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    Quote Originally Posted by pineapple stu View Post
    Dave O'Leary (and Pierce)

    Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy too I guess
    Sarcasm, I'm guessing.

    Seán Maguire. Was born in Luton to Irish parents but only spent the first two months of his life there.
    Last edited by Trequartista20; 20/09/2022 at 9:23 AM.

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    International Prospect osarusan's Avatar
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    Wikipedia has a list of foreign-born players. Not sure how exhaustive it is.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...lic_of_Ireland

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    Biased against YOUR club pineapple stu's Avatar
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    Shay Brennan is one who jumps out - could be wrong, but seeing as he moved back to Ireland to finish his playing career and stayed here, I get the feeling he was culturally Irish and unlikely to play for England.

    Didn't even know Stephen McPhail was born in England. Curtis Fleming moved back home at a young age so he'd be similar to McGrath/O'Leary in that regard.

    I suppose you could add Ogbene to that list too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by pineapple stu View Post
    I suppose you could add Ogbene to that list too.
    Ogbene was vocal about preferring to play for Nigeria when he first moved to the UK. He only declared for us after Kenny had a word with him in 2020.

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    Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat
    I have a head only Snow White would love

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    Quote Originally Posted by osarusan View Post
    Wikipedia has a list of foreign-born players. Not sure how exhaustive it is.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...lic_of_Ireland
    Very interesting to see more guys born in Scotland then in N.Ireland played for us

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    I noticed at least one omission. It includes Micky Walsh (Blackpool / Everton / Porto etc) bot not near namesake Mike Walsh (Bolton / Everton / Norwich...). He also got caps for us.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Trequartista20 View Post
    Sarcasm, I'm guessing.

    Seán Maguire. Was born in Luton to Irish parents but only spent the first two months of his life there.
    Why is that sarcastic? I know there were issues in terms of international schoolboy v club for both lads but they showed serious mettle to stay the course with us and, those issues aside, both have spoken about how playing for Ireland was motivated by their background and families and something both lads wanted to deliver on.

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    Quote Originally Posted by greendeiseboy View Post
    Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat
    But did he play GAA like Jackie?

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    International Prospect sadloserkid's Avatar
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    Was there not some anecdote about Phil Babb wearing an Irish jersey to school around Euro 88?

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    International Prospect sadloserkid's Avatar
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    Re: Babb - he was 17 when Euro 88 happened - never mind my musings above. 🙂

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    Capped Player SkStu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by greendeiseboy View Post
    Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat
    Still. Too. Soon.

    I always got the impression that for Richard Keogh there was no other choice but Ireland. I think Alan McLoughlin (Fixer had question marks) is definitely another.

    (great thread!)

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    Biased against YOUR club pineapple stu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sadloserkid View Post
    Was there not some anecdote about Phil Babb wearing an Irish jersey to school around Euro 88?
    That was Gary Been I think

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    Seamus (Jim) McDonagh.
    Think his story got a good mention in Eoin Hands book a few years ago.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Olé Olé View Post
    Why is that sarcastic? I know there were issues in terms of international schoolboy v club for both lads but they showed serious mettle to stay the course with us and, those issues aside, both have spoken about how playing for Ireland was motivated by their background and families and something both lads wanted to deliver on.
    Didn't McGeady in particular talk about the atmosphere and environment amongst the underage groups with Ireland. Always felt welcomed and liked showing up because it was a positive environment.

    Compared to the reactions he would have gotten from some within Scotland because of the issues with int schoolboys vs club issue and then joining up with our underage teams at first it probably made his decision to stick with us even easier.

    You also look at Rocco Vata to see how some lads in Scotland might have more affiliation to us than Scotland depending on the family. His only link to us is his mother's mother came from Ireland but Scotland would probably be his third choice.

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