The plastic paddies we nearly had

**ofjames** · 29/07/2007, 5:24 AM

In light of the tim cahill thread, i decided to try put together a panel of players that nearly (or not so nearly) ended up pulling on a green jersey. Probably the most pointless thread ever posted but howinever

GK: Mark Beeney, John Filan

DEF: Zat Knight, Steve Bruce, Frank Quedrue, Martin Keown

MID: Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson, Vinny Jones, Kevin Nolan, Aaron Lennon, Tim Cahill

FWD: Chris Armstrong, Wayne Rooney, Willy Wonka

Any others lads?

**theworm2345** · 29/07/2007, 6:04 AM

We didn't almost have him but I think would've qualified, Steven Gerrard. (I think this because his cousin, Anthony Gerrard, I think was eligible to play for us, though it could've been the other side of the family)

**dr_peepee** · 29/07/2007, 9:24 AM

Scholes and Gasgoigne could've.... But much like Rooney they never even considered it.

Sean Dundee!!!

**Torn-Ado** · 29/07/2007, 9:32 AM

Kevin Gallen

**Lionel Ritchie** · 29/07/2007, 9:38 AM

Ashley Ward could've had a decent run with us.

**tetsujin1979** · 29/07/2007, 10:17 AM

I remember an interview with Jimmy Greaves saying he qualified for Ireland, but he no interest in playing for us, even if he had been approached.

**stiofain** · 29/07/2007, 10:17 AM

Rio Ferdinand's mother is Irish. He says so in his book.

**stiofain** · 29/07/2007, 10:19 AM

Lucas Neill as well. I think Mick McCarthy actuctally called him up to one of his first squads but he rejected it.

**Torn-Ado** · 29/07/2007, 10:36 AM

Dave Kitson

**Bungle** · 29/07/2007, 12:28 PM

Jamie Carragher could have, as could Steve McManaman. Remember Brian Kerr saying that he once went to a Liverpool-Everton youth game when he was an underage manager and about 80% of the players were either Irish or could have played for us.

Rooney is very Irish and I've a feeling if he'd been approached as a youngster he would have declared for us. All four of his grandparents are Irish.

Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry are probably eligible as well.

**DeNiro** · 29/07/2007, 1:37 PM

GK: Kevin Pressman, Simon Tracey

DEF: Ian Nolan, Phil Whelan, Brian Kilcline, Neil Kilkenny

MID: Steve Froggatt, Kevin Harper (declared for Scotland)

FWD: Dean Holdsworth, Chris Sutton (apparently had connections),

**GavinZac** · 29/07/2007, 2:13 PM

Dan Murray

**theworm2345** · 29/07/2007, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

We didn't almost have him but I think would've qualified, Steven Gerrard. (I think this because his cousin, Anthony Gerrard, I think was eligible to play for us, though it could've been the other side of the family)

Nevermind, obviously Steven and Anthony are related on their dad's side and it says Anthony is eligible through his mother's side

**dr_peepee** · 29/07/2007, 4:01 PM

Joe Lapira

**Noelys Guitar** · 29/07/2007, 4:04 PM

Vinnie Jones!

**Irish_Praha** · 29/07/2007, 5:05 PM

Marlon King

**DeNiro** · 29/07/2007, 5:49 PM

Originally Posted by stiofain

Lucas Neill as well. I think Mick McCarthy actuctally called him up to one of his first squads but he rejected it.

That's interesting. I don't ever remember his name coming up.

Others that could have played included Joe Corrigan, Kevin Keegan, Peter Reid, Steve McMahon. I think Craig Johnston could have played as well.

It's funny how it's not so common these days to get players declaring their eligibility or maybe it happens a lot younger. No doubt if we miraculously qualify for Euro 2008, we'll have someone a la Clinton Morrisson present their case for inclusion.

**ofjames** · 29/07/2007, 6:24 PM

seeing as rio's mam is irish, im gona take a wild guess and say that anton ferdinand would also have been eligible

**stiofain** · 29/07/2007, 7:08 PM

I didnt say Anton Ferdindand as he wouldnt get a game for us.

In regards to Lucas Neill, I've had a quick look on google but i cant find anything to back up that Mick McCarthy tried to bring him into the Ireland set up. I'm 99% sure i read this some time ago and didnt just dream it up. His father is from Belfast and McCarthy would have known him from thier time together at Millwall. I think it was one of McCarthy's first squads that he named him in, but Neill turned it down.

**theworm2345** · 29/07/2007, 7:14 PM

Originally Posted by stiofain

I didnt say Anton Ferdindand as he wouldnt get a game for us.

In regards to Lucas Neill, I've had a quick look on google but i cant find anything to back up that Mick McCarthy tried to bring him into the Ireland set up. I'm 99% sure i read this some time ago and didnt just dream it up. His father is from Belfast and McCarthy would have known him from thier time together at Millwall. I think it was one of McCarthy's first squads that he named him in, but Neill turned it down.

If he wanted to he still could, I think there is a way that, even if you're capped at u21 level, you can change your team, though it isn't easy. He's never been capped for England so maybe something to consider in the future, even though he may not be the best option.