Another Scottish born player declares for us

**eirebhoy** · 14/11/2006, 6:34 PM

HAMILTON ACCIES wonderkid Jamie McCarthy is ready to copy Celtic's Aiden McGeady - and snub Scotland for the Republic of Ireland.

The 15-year-old made his debut for Accies in their 2-1 derby defeat of Airdrie on Saturday where he was watched by Sean McCaffrey, manager of the Republic's Under-17s.

And McCaffrey is ready to hand McCarthy - who has already been watched by Barcelona - his first cap for the Republic in Dublin against Italy on January 19.

McCarthy qualifies for the green of Ireland through his grandfather.

McCaffrey said: "I don't need a second look to know that he will be Eire's gain and Scotland's loss.

"It is a major plus that his grandfather Paddy Coyle was a Donegal man and had such a big influence on Jamie.

"I saw Roy Keane at a similar age and I know what a talent Jamie has. We will be delighted to integrate him in the Under-17 side."

Accies' boss Billy Reid is delighted his star youngster has gained international recognition - but laments the fact Scotland will miss out on another outstanding home-grown talent

He groaned: "I am so sad Scotland have missed out on Jamie. It happened to me when I was at Clyde and I gave Craig Bryson his debut at 16 and he never got a sniff of an age-group international.

"It seems the only way you get picked to play for Scotland at Under-17s is if you play for the Old Firm. Jamie made his debut in a Hamilton side joint top of the First Division, but he's not good enough for Scotland Under-17s. It's mad."

Meanwhile, McCarthy's first-team starting debut was watched by Man United and Chelsea while Plymouth Argyle are also believed to be keen on the Accies kid.

But McCarthy's football advisor George Gray, of Braveheart Promotions, said: "I hope Jamie will stay at Hamilton at least until the end of the season."

He definitely seems to be well known already. He was 16 last weekend. This will be the final straw for Scotland after already missing out on McGeady and Jim O'Brien of Celtic.

Hamilton fan:
"I've seen James as a sub, but yesterday was my first chance to get a good look at him on his starting debut.

I was amazed by his skill, and his confidence on the ball. I assumed a not-quite-16-year-old would look a bit out of his depth, but he didn't. In fact, he looked a better player than many of those around him, and an unbelievable prospect. I saw enough yesterday to understand why he's attracting attention fromn clubs as big as Barcelona. "

**Fergie's Son** · 14/11/2006, 7:40 PM

Interesting. Thanks for posting it.

Very early days yet but good to see this.

**Stuttgart88** · 14/11/2006, 8:33 PM

Watch this space I suppose. Interesting indeed.

**The Legend** · 14/11/2006, 8:40 PM

Why the hell are these guys declaring for the republic, they should be declaring for their own country... the way things are going, Scotland have as a bright (or dim) a future as us.

**FootballsKing** · 14/11/2006, 8:43 PM

why the hell does Sean McCaffery call Ireland 'Eire'?

**cheifo** · 14/11/2006, 10:07 PM

Anybody else find this a little embaressing?Seems like a great prospect though.

**ramondo** · 15/11/2006, 12:36 AM

Good to see the Cyprus result didn't put him off � as a 16-year-old in his position I would have had second thoughts.

Interesting that it was his grandfather's origins that influenced his decision.

Does this mean he's committed, or can he change his mind if, say, Scotland qualify for later World Cups or Euro finals and we don't?

I'm not saying big championships the only reason someone would choose to play for us, but it's the main reason we had a decent team in the late 80s / early 90s.

**Poor Student** · 15/11/2006, 6:46 AM

Originally Posted by The Legend

Why the hell are these guys declaring for the republic, they should be declaring for their own country... the way things are going, Scotland have as a bright (or dim) a future as us.

They consider this their country. If you knew much about the social history of Scotland over the last century and a half or so you'd know that the Irish immigrants weren't integrated very well into Scottish society and have hence maintained a strong Irish identity.

**greendeiseboy** · 15/11/2006, 8:19 AM

wasnt there another scots born lad who declared for us recently andy jackson or something like that....anyone know how he's progressing

**Donal81** · 15/11/2006, 8:27 AM

Thanks Eirebhoy, that's excellent news. Good to know the Scotland/Donegal link is still going strong.

**youngirish** · 15/11/2006, 9:21 AM

Why do people born in other countries always want to declare for us? Scottish, English, Northern Irish. Why are we so popular? Is it due to the Louis Walsh effect whereby we are now idolised all throughout Europe due initially to the success of Boyzone which he subsequently followed up with Westlife? This can't fully explain it though as we did experience a similar set of circumstances in the pre-Boyzone days under Charlton and Hand.

You never hear of any lads born in the Republic wanting to play for any other International teams. Are we more patriotic than most other nations? Or is it just our grandfathers and their brothers traversed the world sharing their Irish seeds amongst the local female population? Anyone got any explanation?

**galwayhoop** · 15/11/2006, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Why do people born in other countries always want to declare for us? Scottish, English, Northern Irish. Why are we so popular? Is it due to the Louis Walsh effect whereby we are now idolised all throughout Europe due initially to the success of Boyzone which he subsequently followed up with Westlife?

YEAH Louis Walsh!

are you for real. the fact is that for many years people had to emigrate from this country due to mainly financial reasons. these people who left settled in countries such as england, scotland, usa and others. countries like the usa eventually accepted us as a people and the integration was smooth. unfortunately countries like scotland did not accept us as easily and we were forced to cling to our own heritage and never really integrated into the whole scotish cultural system.

net result:

USA = Irish Americans (people who class themselves as American and live their lives in an american way but are still proud of their irish heritage) Are they Irish ? IMO biologically yeah but in reality not really.

Scotland = Irish people (2g & 3g) who are living in scotland and feel more affinity with this country of their heritage than they do with the country where they and their parents were born. Are they Irish ? IMO yes.

**youngirish** · 15/11/2006, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

YEAH Louis Walsh!
are you for real. the fact is that for many years people had to emigrate from this country due to mainly financial reasons. these people who left settled in countries such as england, scotland, usa and others. countries like the usa eventually accepted us as a people and the integration was smooth. unfortunately countries like scotland did not accept us as easily and we were forced to cling to our own heritage and never really integrated into the whole scotish cultural system.

I think the Louis Walsh effect is the more palusible reason. It's easy to pick up women here in England who were all Boyzone/Westlife fans in their younger days due to my 'lovely' North inner city Dublin accent which reminds them of their idols (according to them). I can't even get into Mc Donalds with it back home without getting arrested.

McGeady was a big Boyzone fan when he was younger as far as I know. Praise to Louis Walsh.

**gspain** · 15/11/2006, 9:50 AM

I've met Aiden McGeady's uncle a couple of times. He has a keen interest in the EL and Irish football in general. He was also very knowledgable about it. He said the only country Aiden was ever going to play for was us. The family still have very strong ties with home.

**McGeady10** · 15/11/2006, 9:59 AM

I am born in Scotland but consider myself Irish.

The same people in Scotland who tell me I'm Scottish also bang on about the "Paki's" (Pakistanis) as if they are NOT Scottish.

This is just inherrent racism.

If Irish people were green I'd be a strong shade of green!

So would this kid and Aiden McGeady.

**galwayhoop** · 15/11/2006, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I think the Louis Walsh effect is the more palusible reason. It's easy to pick up women here in England who were all Boyzone/Westlife fans in their younger days due to my 'lovely' North inner city Dublin accent .

as a person who has lived in both britain and the US i can assure you that there has always been a strong sence of nationalism in ex-pats overseas (in fact it is magnified to such an extent that in many cases it is a stronger sence of nationalism that some at home!)

i know that this was there long before westlife / boyzone! i also know that it is fashionable to be irish these days but i feel that it is a stronger tie to ireland that that gained from the success of manufactured boy bands. it may help you 'pick up birds' - and fair play to you - but in reality in the homes of the irish diaspora (esp those of 2g & 3g) you are more likely to find music collections with the likes of the dubliners, chieftans, clanad, paddy reilly, the wolfe tones and christy moore in them than boyzone!

**Lionel Ritchie** · 15/11/2006, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I think the Louis Walsh effect is the more palusible reason. It's easy to pick up women here in England who were all Boyzone/Westlife fans in their younger days due to my 'lovely' North inner city Dublin accent which reminds them of their idols (according to them). I can't even get into Mc Donalds with it back home without getting arrested.

McGeady was a big Boyzone fan when he was younger as far as I know. Praise to Louis Walsh.

...ah at last the ambulance has arrived. Straight jacket on, next stop An Teach M�r.

**joe_barry80** · 15/11/2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

as a person who has lived in both britain and the US i can assure you that there has always been a strong sence of nationalism in ex-pats overseas (in fact it is magnified to such an extent that in many cases it is a stronger sence of nationalism that some at home!)

i know that this was there long before westlife / boyzone! i also know that it is fashionable to be irish these days but i feel that it is a stronger tie to ireland that that gained from the success of manufactured boy bands. it may help you 'pick up birds' - and fair play to you - but in reality in the homes of the irish diaspora (esp those of 2g & 3g) you are more likely to find music collections with the likes of the dubliners, chieftans, clanad, paddy reilly, the wolfe tones and christy moore in them than boyzone!

It's true living abroad does strenghten your nationalism. I live abroad now this is my home where i live now, but when I have kids they will definitly know their Irish roots. I am so passionate about my country since i moved away I don't know why. I went home for the Czech game with my Fiance and she couldn't belive the atmosphere in the stadium that night. She was all praise for our passion and she definitly seen a different side to me that night maybe a bit Scared now

anyways i just want to say that if the traditions are passed down through the generations and thats all they know is Irishness let them play for us who cares. All we want is success please tell me if I'm wrong. We were not complaining when we Qualified for 3 world cups and a Euro champs with british born players.

**Block G Raptor** · 15/11/2006, 11:39 AM

I'm born and bread in Ireland,my paternal grandmother is from paisley and I would jump at the chance to play for Scotland but it wouldn't be my first choice