Kasey McAteer, originating from Northampton with roots in Offaly and Belfast, is the newest name in the lengthy roster of English football players choosing to represent the Republic of Ireland. This decision often follows bypass by the English youth football scouting system.
McAteer, winger for Leicester City, could potentially make his debut in matches against England at the Aviva Stadium this coming Saturday, or Greece the following Tuesday. He turned down an offer to represent Northern Ireland. McAteer stated, “There were some discussions with the IFA, but the talks with the Republic were more frequent and meaningful. I felt a strong sense of belonging here.” He cited his contacts with John O’Shea and other influential figures from the past as a key reason for feeling so welcomed.
British-born players, primarily from England but also Scotland and even Wales like Ray Houghton and Kevin Sheedy, have significantly contributed to the most successful Irish teams over the years. The greatest team Ireland has ever fielded, during the 1990 World Cup, included 12 English-born players in Jack Charlton’s 22-man squad and two Scots, Houghton and Bernie Slaven. The match against England that year, which resulted in a 1-1 draw, fielded only three Irish-born players – Packie Bonner, Kevin Moran and Steve Staunton.
At the Euro 2016 loss to France in Lyon, Ireland’s last participation in a major tournament, the initial line-up included Essex-raised Richard Keogh and Glasgow-born James McCarthy, alongside four more English-born Irishmen in Martin O’Neill’s squad.
A recent concern is the diminishing quality of players utilising the Granny Rule option to play for Ireland. This trend has been escalating in recent times, with current England players like Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, Conor Gallagher and potentially Harry Kane holding Irish passports. Rice and Grealish both originated from the Irish youth system before pledging their allegiance elsewhere, with Rice earning three senior caps in 2018 before receiving a phone call from the former England manager Gareth Southgate.
The impact of Brexit has led footballers Gallagher and Jude Bellingham to secure an Irish passport through familial links, thereby permitting Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid to regard them not as non-EU signees under the La Liga regulations. England’s captain, Kane, had a similar opportunity via his Irish roots prior to his move to Bayern Munich, his father having emigrated from Galway to London prior to beginning a family.
No stranger to the spotlight, these Anglo-Irish connections have been noted before, with McAteer garnering the attention of Stephen Kenny prior to the FAI decision not to renew his contract last year. Kenny had also recognised the available talent pool of Irish-qualified players, granting international debuts to CJ Hamilton, Will Keane and Will Smallbone who is anticipated to contend versus Lee Carsley-led England at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Raised in Birmingham, Carsley acquired 40 caps for Ireland from 1997 to 2008 due to his Irish heritage through his Cork-born grandmother. Moreover, Kenny integrated an additional nine English-born players, previously capped under O’Neill and Mick McCarthy, into the team. These included Callum Robinson, Josh Cullen, Harry Arter, Scott Hogan, Ciaran Clark, David McGoldrick, Ronan Curtis, James Collins and Callum O’Dowda.
While these players may not attain the legendary status in Irish sport that Houghton and Sheedy hold for their goals against England, there is still opportunity for 22-year-old McAteer and Robinson. Discussions with Robinson revealed his feelings ahead of the 5pm Saturday game, as the 29-year-old Cardiff forward has worn the England shirt from under-16 to under-20 level.
He responded, “I’ve been playing for Ireland since 2018 and the reasons for doing so are clear in my mind. Naturally, I am familiar with some of the [England] team members from Premiership or Championship games over the years. They certainly have talent, and I share a good bond with Jack too.”
Earlier in July, before the Euros final, Robinson and Grealish were spotted at Wimbledon’s Centre Court. The omission of Grealish from the England squad surprised Robinson, who felt that his friend could have offered a unique element to the team, both on and off the pitch.
“He has been a member of that team for about half a decade and is quite a personality. Tournament football is massive beyond the field, and even though their performance was not impressive, they made it to the finale due to the quality of their squad.”
Robinson displayed a wide grin in response to a query about what kind of reaction Grealish might get in Dublin, given his history of six Ireland under-21 games and subsequently earning 36 England caps.
“I can’t say what kind of ill-treatment he might face, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he is prepared for it. It would shock me if he isn’t. Truth be told, he is heckled everywhere he goes, even in England, and I think he is gearing up for some rough treatment here as well.”
“I believe as an experienced player, he is mature enough to handle this sort of thing which he experiences in England matches or during the Premier League [representing Manchester City]. I do not foresee Saturday being any different, as I think he’s likely to face such treatment again.”