Foreign born but were only ever going to play for Ireland

**Fixer82** · 20/09/2022, 7:50 AM

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

**Olé Olé** · 20/09/2022, 7:51 AM

Paul McGrath!

**pineapple stu** · 20/09/2022, 7:55 AM

Dave O'Leary (and Pierce)

Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy too I guess

**Trequartista20** · 20/09/2022, 8:21 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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.

**osarusan** · 20/09/2022, 8:57 AM

Wikipedia has a list of foreign-born players. Not sure how exhaustive it is.

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

**pineapple stu** · 20/09/2022, 9:03 AM

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.

**ColourfulPeanut** · 20/09/2022, 9:24 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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.

**greendeiseboy** · 20/09/2022, 10:53 AM

Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat

**Diggs246** · 20/09/2022, 11:15 AM

Alan Kelly jr

**Diggs246** · 20/09/2022, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by osarusan

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

**third policeman** · 20/09/2022, 12:04 PM

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.

**CSAD** · 20/09/2022, 12:49 PM

Justin Ferizaj 😊

**Olé Olé** · 20/09/2022, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by Trequartista20

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.

**Olé Olé** · 20/09/2022, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

Declan Rice....................................I'll get my coat

But did he play GAA like Jackie?

**sadloserkid** · 20/09/2022, 1:51 PM

Was there not some anecdote about Phil Babb wearing an Irish jersey to school around Euro 88?

**sadloserkid** · 20/09/2022, 1:53 PM

Re: Babb - he was 17 when Euro 88 happened - never mind my musings above. 🙂

**SkStu** · 20/09/2022, 1:55 PM

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

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!)

**pineapple stu** · 20/09/2022, 1:56 PM

Originally Posted by sadloserkid

Was there not some anecdote about Phil Babb wearing an Irish jersey to school around Euro 88?

That was Gary Been I think

**jbyrne** · 20/09/2022, 2:26 PM

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

**JR89** · 20/09/2022, 2:28 PM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

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.