Luxembourg v Ireland will kick off at 19:45 on Sunday 14th November in Stade de Luxembourg. For those unable to travel, the match will be shown live on RTE 2 and RTE Player.

Luxembourg come into this game now ranked 97th in the FIFA World Rankings. Manager Luc Holtz will be with his team, this has been one of the most successful campaigns for their nation.

With the help of their Ligue 1 striker Gerson Rodrigues and Bundesliga midfielder Leandro Barreiro, they currently sit in third place after seven points. Although they are not close to the qualification places, they have managed three victories in the group stage.

They most recently beat Azerbaijan comfortably 3-1 away in Baku on Friday. Rodrigues made a man of the match performance, scoring two goals.

Ireland is now ranked at 51st in the FIFA World Ranking. After a poor start to the campaign, Stephen Kenny has turned his team’s performances around. After a 0-0 stalemate in Dublin to Portugal, the Boys in Green are unbeaten in five matches and only one loss in nine.

Kenny will want another strong performance from star players Callum Robinson and Chiedozie Ogbene if they want to push on from their fourth-place rank in the World Cup group stage.

These two small nations in the football world have only faced each other once before. Back in March, Luxembourg shocked Dublin as they beat a poor Irish team 1-0 in Aviva Stadium. This game will decide who finishes third in the table and Kenny will want a win to cap off his campaign.

Gerson Rodrigues Great Goal (bicycle kick) for Luxembourg vs Azerbaijan pic.twitter.com/YAohrvqbfE

— foteus (@nothing76367051) November 12, 2021

Luxembourg v Ireland Probable Starting Teams

Luxembourg

Formation

4-4-2

Probable Starting 11

Moris (GK), Pinto, Carlson, Chanot, Malget, Thill, Barreiro, Martins, Sinani. Rodrigues, Borges.

Injuries / Suspensions

Jans (Foot)

Ireland

Formation

3-4-2-1

Probable Starting 11

Kelleher (GK), Egan, Duffy, Collins, Knight, Cullin, Keane, Doherty, Ogbene, Idah, Robinson.

Injuries / Suspensions

Omobamidele (Achilles tendon), Molumby (Hamstring), Connolly (Foot)

To hear herself say "I really enjoyed that" leaving an Ireland game for the first time means a lot. The atmosphere and the football we're playing, it's such an exciting time for Irish football. Can't wait to bring her to more @CiaraLennon__ #InKingKennyWeTrust pic.twitter.com/1qi96Kbnae

— Kieran Burke (@Kieran_B_Sport) November 12, 2021

Luxembourg v Ireland Match Betting

Luxembourg to win: 13/5

Draw: 2/1

Ireland to win: 23/20

Score Prediction

Although I am blinded by patriotism, this seems like a great chance for Ireland to claim their second win of the group. The Irishmen are in strong form and are looking more comfortable in front of the goal.

Expect the game to end 2-0 to Ireland, ending the campaign on a high.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Shane Duffy taking flight pic.twitter.com/HKer9hPlBg

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 11, 2021

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Best young Irish footballers waiting for their senior international cap

6. Tyreik Samuel Wright

Salford City (on loan) – Right-Wing – 20-years-old

This is Wright’s first full year as part of the senior set-up of a professional club. The winger was born in Ovens, County Cork and made his name at Lakewood FC before moving into Aston Villa’s youth system.

Last season he spent six months at Walsall making 16 league appearances. This year in League Two, Wright has made four starts, scoring his first senior goal. Still a young man, he has gotten seven caps with the Irish U21 team and has scored a goal.

5. Zachary Elbouzedi

AIK – Right Midfield – 23-years-old

Elbouzedi has been a name on many Irish fans tongues for the last few years. The Dublin man began his youth career at West Bromwich Albion but after not breaking into the side he started travelling between Scotland, England and Ireland. Now he finds himself playing for AIK in Sweden. So far he has made 17 appearances since July scoring one remarkable goal.

The midfielder is still yet to get a senior cap even though he has for every one of Ireland’s underage teams from U15s to U21s. Still only 23 years old, his day could still come.

What a goal by Elbouzedi pic.twitter.com/in0U1FlxAn

— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@RepTracker) November 7, 2021

4. Joshua Kayode

Rotherham United – Centre Forward – 20-years-old

Stephen Kenny has found great success in finding young Irish talents in Rotherham this year. Kayode could soon join his compatriot Chiedozie Ogbene in pulling on the green jersey. Born in Lagos, Nigeria he has represented the Ireland U21s team since October 2020. He even scored on his first full debut for the team away against Luxembourg last year.

He scored eight goals last year on loan at Carlisle United last season which has led to him playing six games already for his parent club Rotherham.

3. Liam Scales

Celtic FC – Left Wing Back – 23-years-old

This is one of the most likely people on this list to get the call-up. Scales has been playing very well for Celtic since moving from Shamrock Rovers this summer. He was called up for Ireland’s last set of qualifiers but was unlucky not to make it onto the pitch.

Although he is not featured in the squad for the upcoming matches, if his form continues to go up then we could see him in the squad soon.

5⃣ Congrats on your #CelticFC debut, Liam Scales! #PremierSportsCup | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/QDh25Ztppm

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 23, 2021

2. Conor Coventry

Peterborough (on loan) – Centre Midfield – 21-years-old

Coventry is another English born player that has found a chance in the Irish set-up through his mother. He first joined Ireland’s U17s team and was recently part of Stephen Kenny’s U21 team before Kenny took the senior job.

He is presently on a season-long loan from parent club West Ham in the Championship with Peterborough. He has made eight appearances in the league and showed his strength as a defensive option for the club.

special night for the academy! Congrats to Grady, @conorcoventry & @JoePowell_10 on there debuts.. fully deserved #COYI pic.twitter.com/55nHaclgmK

— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) September 26, 2018

1. Gavin Kilkenny

AFC Bournemouth – Centre Midfield – 21-years-old

It is a surprise that Kenny did not call up Kilkenny for this set of games. For a young player, he has shown great composure and strength on the ball for a Championship-topping Bournemouth side. He has made 11 starts for the club already this year making Scott Parker’s side proud as one of their homegrown talents.

Surely a call-up will be coming soon for the young man as he continues to hear stories about international duty from his teammates Robbie Brady and Mark Travers.

Gavin Kilkenny (21) was absolutely pinging them for Bournemouth yesterday #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/YvKviZFWaP

— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) October 17, 2021

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Ireland v Portugal will kick off at 19:45 on Thursday 11th November in the Aviva Stadium.

Most of the tickets for this game were sold out within minutes of them being on sale online. For those who could not claim a ticket, the match will also be shown live on RTE 2 and RTE player with coverage starting at 19:00.

Stephen Kenny has changed Ireland’s fortunes in recent months. After a poor start to his campaign, they are now unbeaten four games and have shown real promise in front of goal.

The Boys in Green still sit in fourth place in the group behind Luxembourg and are unable to qualify from the group. After this tie with Portugal, they will travel to the small nation of Luxembourg for what seems like a more important game for Kenny’s regime.

If Kenny thought Ireland’s form was good then Fernando Santos has been making a monstrous squad out of Portugal. Since being knocked out of Euro 2020 to Belgium, they have won five games on the bounce, keeping three clean sheets.

The World number eight-country currently sit in second place in the World Cup qualification group. They only sit one point off Serbia but have a single game in hand. Even though the Portuguese will want to win against Ireland, they will keep one eye on their fixture against the Serbians this Sunday in Lisbon.

Ireland have very few opportunities to play Ronaldo and Portugal, having only faced them twice in the last 10 years. Both times, the Portuguese squad came out on top, first 5-1 in 2014, and most recently they made a 2-1 comeback at the start of September.

The amazing sequence of passes that led to Callum Robinson's hattrick goal

The Irish evolution #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/OCLWaUp70R

— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) October 14, 2021

Ireland v Portugal Probable Starting Teams

Ireland

Formation

5-3-2

Probable Starting 11

Bazunu (GK), Doherty, Egan, Duffy, Omobamidele, Coleman, Hendrick, Cullen, Knight, Idah, Robinson.

Injuries / Suspensions

Collins (Muscle injury), O’Shea (Knee), Connolly (Heel)

Portugal

Formation

4-3-3

Probable Starting 11

Patricio (GK), Mendes, Dias, Pepe, Semedo, Palhinha, Neves, Fernandes, Rafa, Silva, Ronaldo.

Injuries / Suspensions

Mario (Back)

Matija Nastasic (Serbia player):

Cristiano Ronaldo in our next match against Portugal? "Honestly, I don't expect Cristiano Ronaldo to be more or less excited. He's one of those players who always gets excited in every match, so I think he's no different in this match." pic.twitter.com/xF1JtMKRsf

— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) November 10, 2021

Ireland v Portugal Match Betting

Ireland to win: 9/1

Draw: 15/4

Portugal to win: 3/10

Score Prediction

It would feel blasphemous to bet against the Boys in Green but it would be a major shock to see Kenny’s young men overcome the world-class side aiming to top this qualifying group. Recent form at least shows that Ireland will be spirited and give Ronaldo’s team a real go for it.

Expect the game to end 2-1 to Portugal.

Only two days until Cristiano Ronaldo plays in the Aviva Stadium How can Stephen Kenny's team stop the Portugal captain? pic.twitter.com/mPbYYaDj2S

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 9, 2021

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This decision by the FAI is in light of a number of Dublin referees withdrawing their services for this weekend’s games. These officials felt that there was little to no support for them during underage soccer matches.

The referees confirmed on Monday that they will not officiate at the upcoming matches in the North Dublin Schoolboys/Girls League and Metropolitan Girls League.

The FAI has previously completed programs to impact the abuse problem in local Irish leagues.

Refereeing is a tough job as they must be impartial while they deal with opinions from players. This problem has grown worse with parents and supporters expressing this disdain during and after matches.

FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill said:

“I can assure affiliates across the country that the FAI will do whatever is needed to ensure the protection of all our referees – without them, we have no game, plain and simple.

“The small minority of players, coaches, officials, and all others guilty of such abuse need to understand that. They must know that Irish football and the FAI will do whatever we have to do to ensure a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of any match official.

“Our disciplinary regulations carry clear and serious sanctions to be enforced on anyone who abuses a match official and we are calling on all Leagues to enforce those sanctions. We cannot and will not tolerate any abuse aimed at a referee at any level of the game.”

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Greatest Irish players to play for Leeds United

7. Noel Hunt

Hunt followed his former Reading manager in joining Leeds back in 2013. Unfortunately after being handed the number ten jersey, this would not be a dream move for him. After being hit by a thigh injury, he only made 19 appearances for the Whites before leaving for Ipswich Town.

Luke Murphy, Noel Hunt and Matt Smith to Leeds pic.twitter.com/4b22h5a4Nb

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChampo) July 3, 2013

6. Paul Green

The 38-year-old currently plies his trade for Boston United in the lower American leagues. Back in 2012, Green spent two years as a main player in the Leeds United team. He made 41 appearances in League One and Championship scoring four goals. He even managed to captain the team for one game before leaving in 2014.

Green signed for the Yorkshire club after he was called up for the Ireland team that played at Euro 2012, making a substitute appearance against Spain.

5. Liam Miller

The former traveling player lined out for 12 clubs in his career including a season-long loan spell at Leeds. In 2005, Miller was sent out from Manchester United to the Championship side for more game time.

The midfielder made 28 appearances and scored one goal during this spell. He would later move onto Sunderland and make 21 appearances for the Ireland national team.

4. Ian Harte

In 1995, Harte took the leap across the Irish sea when he moved from Home Farm to Leeds United. The Drogheda man spent eight years in Yorkshire, becoming a prolific left-back for them, often taking their penalties and free kicks.

After well over 200 appearances and 28 goals, Leeds were surprisingly relegated from the Premier League in 2004. Harte would then move further abroad as he spent three years in Spain with Levante.

3. Denis Irwin

One of Leeds’ crowning glories is their impressive youth academy. Ireland and Manchester United’s legendary left-back started out his long career at the Whites’ famed academy.

Back in the early ’80s Irwin joined the club and made over 70 appearances in the old Second Division before moving to Oldham FC IN 1986.

2. Robbie Keane

One of Ireland’s greatest ever strikers and Irish players to play in England, Keane, was shown a lifeline by Leeds in his early career. After an ill-fated move to Inter Milan in 2000, the Whites’ offered him a loan spell and subsequent permanent deal. In 18 months he scored 13 league goals before making the biggest move of his career to Tottenham Hotspur.

With 68 goals, Keane would later become Irelands leading scorer also making 148 appearances.

ON THIS DAY: In 2001, Robbie Keane scored his first ever senior hat-trick as Leeds smashed Leicester 6-0 in the League Cup.

Cue cartwheel. pic.twitter.com/IxSf0ETyGw

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 9, 2016

1. John Giles

Giles was more certainly the finest of the Irish players to tog out for Leeds United. His 12-year spell began after he was frozen out of Manchester United. As he promised, Giles would ‘haunt’ Busby for his decisions.

Under Don Revie, he made 383 league appearances, scoring 88 goals and becoming one of the most feared midfielders in the English top-flight. He won League and Cup titles before leaving for West Brom in 1975.

Giles would also make 59 appearances for the Boys in Green, both as a player and a player-manager.

Here's birthday boy John Giles scoring a routine screamer as West Brom's player-manager vs Manchester United pic.twitter.com/jxfTmneTbY

— Ronan Mullen (@RonanReigns) November 6, 2021

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The Ireland boss has named some surprises in the 26 man squad as well as handing out possible first senior caps to some players.

Captain Seamus Coleman will miss out on the matches due to a hamstring injury he sustained while playing for Everton. He has been replaced in the squad with young defender Nathan Collins who moved to Burnley this season but is yet to make an appearance.

Fulham defender Cyrus Christie is also named in the squad mainly due to the injury of West Brom centre half Dara O’Shea. Celtic’s Liam Scales was unlucky not to get a call up after recent showings in the Scottish Premiership.

Midfielders Jason Molumby and Alan Browne have also not been included in this November international’s squad.

Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane has received his first international call-up to Ireland having scored four goals in the opening nine matches of the League One season.

Full squad announcement here #Ireland #football #soccer pic.twitter.com/zmOSNS6BcV

— Will Dalton (@WillDalton01) September 30, 2021

Ireland Men’s National Team 26 man squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth FC), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool FC), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Cyrus Christie (Fulham FC), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Ryan Manning (Swansea FC), Andrew Omabamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby City), Jamie McGrath (St Mirren), Harry Arter (Charlton Athletic)

Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United)

This morning on Soccer AM, Robbie Keane proved he is still Ireland's best strikerpic.twitter.com/PdqLEH1zG1

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 11, 2021

Ireland will play Azerbaijan first in a World Cup qualifier. The match kicks of at 17:00 on Saturday 9th October in Tel Aviv.

They will then return home to play World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly. That game starts at 19:45 on Tuesday 12th October.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Ireland and international football news, click here.

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St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Brian Moore hit a second-half hat-trick as Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-16s recorded a stunning 6-0 win over Malta.

Moore was introduced at half-time and was ruthless in front of goal for Paul Osam’s side as Ireland scored five second-half goals.

Bohemians’ Nickson Okosun netted a brace and Chelsea’s Michael Golding scored his first goal for Ireland with a fine top corner finish.

Osam handed the captaincy to Shamrock Rovers’ Cory O’Sullivan and introduced them to the starting line-up goalscorers from Tuesday’s game, Cian Morling, and Okosun.

Ireland got the breakthrough in the 25th minute. Morling was brought down in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Okosun cooly stroked the ball into the bottom corner, sending Malta goalkeeper Jake Scicluna the wrong way.

At half-time, Moore was introduced for Morling, and Pat’s man would get the first of his three goals in the 49th minute with a clinical finish that went in off the post.

Four minutes later it was 3-0 to Ireland and Okosun had his second. Great work from Luke Kehir saw him round the goalkeeper and put it on a plate for a tap-in for Okosun, taking the Bohs’ striker’s tally for the week to three goals.

Michael Golding made it 4-0 in the 75th minute, turning sharply inside the box and finishing into the top left corner.

Moore got his second three minutes later when he finished at the front post from a Sean Hayden cross. He sealed his hat-trick in the final minute of the game when he capitalized on a mistake in the Malta defense to finish past the goalkeeper and complete the scoring for Ireland.

The win was their second in the week over their opponents and the Men’s Under-16s will turn their attention to the Victory Shield next month in Belfast.

Former academy player Cian scored for Republic of Ireland U16’s in their 0-3 win vs Malta U16’s top work big man! Keep it up!https://t.co/E7SsGN8g8k pic.twitter.com/yC6sBtEPuR

— Learn Play Achieve Academy (@LPAacademy) September 22, 2021

Malta

Scicluna (GK); Fardell, Previi, K. Farrugia, Debono, Okeke; Zammit, B. Farrugia; Hudson, Delicata (C), Bugeja.
Substitutions: Gaela (GK), Briffa, Carabott, Zammit, Cassar, Mattocks, Agius, J Azzopardi, I. Azzopardi.

Republic of Ireland:

Maher (GK); O’Sullivan (C) (Hayden, 70), Jakas, Swieczka (Sheeran, 70); Razi (Cannon, 55), Kehir (Mackey, 70), Healy, Golding, O’Halloran (Turley, 70) ; Morling (Moore 41), Okosun (Kone Doherty, 55).

Ireland Men’s U16 Head Coach Paul Osam has named a squad of 20 for friendlies against Malta next week.

All players are in line for their international debuts

21/09 | v
23/09 | v

Full details https://t.co/zqyzdOqQKm#IRLU16 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/275mx1dPTe

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 18, 2021

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Although the Gunners do not have modern heroes such as Robbie Keane from Spurs in the ranks, they have some legends of the past. Judging by their recent run of form, manager Mikel Arteta would not hurt his squad by trying a few Irish players again.

Here is a list of the top five greatest Irish players to ever play in the Red side of London for Arsenal.

Niall Quinn

Quinn was not a legend at Arsenal, only just a bit-time player that later discovered his form and Manchester City and especially Sunderland. Spending seven years at the club starting in 1983, he only managed 67 appearances.

He never set Highbury alight but he did score 14 goals in his stay. Unfortunately he never qualified for a Premier League winners medal in the seasons where the club dominated England.

"I learned my trade at Arsenal, became a footballer at Manchester City, but Sunderland got under my skin. I love Sunderland."

25 years ago today, @reid6peter signed Niall Quinn. What a signing #SAFC pic.twitter.com/PaHsYyBTmG

— RokerRoarcom (@RokerRoarcom) August 15, 2021

Frank Stapleton

Now to a striker that the club wishes they could have back. Stapleton made 300 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 108 times. This good goalscoring record made him Arsenal’s top scorer for three seasons in a row.

He started at the Reds in 1974 and played there for seven years. His crowning moment was one of the FA Cup Final winning goals he scored in 1979. He later moved onto Manchester United for six more years.

Frank Stapleton in the iconic @Arsenal home kit worn for 13 years, from '69 to '82. The @umbro logo first appeared on the strip in 1978.#arsenal #football #podcasts #AFC pic.twitter.com/oyWhSupCQK

— shortswereshort (@shortswereshort) August 15, 2021

Pat Rice

The Belfast right-back started his playing career at Arsenal in 1967 and he would stay there for 13 years. He did it all for the club, winning FA Cups, English Leagues, playing in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

He also captained the team in 1977 for three years until moving to Watford. He would later return to Arsenal in a managerial role at the youth level before becoming the right-hand man to Arsene Wenger.

He was their assistant manager throughout their greatest years from 1996 until 2012.

7⃣0⃣ today!

Wishing a very special birthday to Arsenal legend Pat Rice pic.twitter.com/iYZ61f4FJk

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 17, 2019

David O’Leary

A reliable defender by Jack Charlton’s standards, he never reached his potential with Ireland but does own credit to our greatest moment. The ball-playing center-back started at the club in 1975, becoming their record appearance maker over 18 years.

With 772 registered caps he is now ranked in the top 15 greatest Arsenal players of all time. Irish fans will still remember him better for slotting the penalty against Romania in 1990.

MEMORIES | The 1990 World Cup penalty shoot-out v Romania

"A nation holds it breath… YES!"

On Jack's 85th Birthday, let's look back at one of his finest hours Tell us your memories below!#COYBIG | #HappyBirthdayJack pic.twitter.com/oGN734Z2PW

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) May 8, 2020

Liam Brady

The greatest of them all, Brady was a maestro in midfield for Ireland. He was a once-in-a-generation player that owned the Gunners’ pitch for seven years.

With his left foot, he could find any player on the pitch with dangerous accuracy. He was voted the PFA Player of the Year in 1979 showing he was the pivotal part of the club.

He moved on to great success with Juventus and is still regarded as probably Ireland’s greatest player ever.

#OTD Legendary Arsenal Midfielder Liam Brady joined Arsenal as an apprentice!#arsenal pic.twitter.com/rITffpxbdH

— Gooner nirav (@only1henry) June 11, 2020

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After devastating losing on penalties to Slovakia, we knew that the boys in green would not play at Euro 2020.

In April 2021, Ireland could not guarantee a 25% attendance at its matches, so Dublin’s Aviva Stadium also withdrew from hosting the tournament.

The group stage and knockout matches meant to be in Dublin were replaced with venues in England and Russia.

Between players and performers, Ireland still has some representation at the competition. It may even help you to decide who to cheer for in the rest of the competition.

Where are the Irish?

Ireland has been involved in the competition long before the first ball was kicked. Two members of the band U2 have helped make the official Euro 2020 song.

Bono and the Edge, along with Martin Garrix wrote the song ‘We Are The People’ for the competition. Many fans love the catchy and emotional tune with it being compared to Zara Larsson’s ‘This One’s For You’ in 2016.

Goosebumps and PARTYYY hearing We Are The People in a stadium…. pic.twitter.com/7nahgdtuSU

— MARTIN GARRIX (@MartinGarrix) June 22, 2021

The Players at Euro 2020

England

It is well known that there are a lot of family ties between Ireland and England which can even be seen in the Three lions’ new golden generation.

Starting with their captain, Harry Kane could have chosen to play for Ireland back in 2014. The talismanic striker’s father, Patrick Kane, was from Galway.

In the heart of their defence, Harry Maguire also has links to Ireland through his grandparents.

One that stings for Irish fans still is Jack Grealish who has connections in Dublin. He even managed to pick up Ireland’s U21 Player of the Year award in 2015.

Another central defender Conor Coady has Irish grandparents. It makes sense since he has the same second name as Irelands greatest GAA manager.

Most recently, Declan Rice through grandparents from Cork played three friendlies for Ireland before choosing to play for England.

Each of those five English players will have a big impact on their run in Euro 2020 knock out rounds. Although, that probably will not make them any more popular on Irish shores.

Rest of Europe

A vital part of Denmark’s challenge in the Round of 16 will be their midfielder, Thomas Delaney.

His great-grandfather moved from Ireland to the USA after the famine making him eligible for both countries, but instead, he chose to play for his native Denmark.

Thomas Delaney #RUSDEN pic.twitter.com/PcYfsL8pbt

— Faisal HQ (@iF2is) June 21, 2021

An unexpected one that many haven’t heard of is Wales’ young defender, Ethan Ampadu. His father Kwame played for Ireland U21s back in the early 1990s having been raised in Dublin.

Now, Ampadu will be hoping that Wales get past the Round of 16 next week against Denmark after he was sent off in their last game against Italy.

Devastated to be sent off but these boys Massive credit for their fight. Last 16 ! Thanks to all the fans who travelled and who supported from home#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/5Mk4wGu0ER

— Ethan Ampadu (@ethanamp26) June 20, 2021

Finland has been one of the sides that Europe has fallen in love with at the tournament. Sadly, we will not see them anymore after a dramatic last day in Group B, losing to Belgium.

They showcased some great defence talent including young centre back Daniel O’Shaughnessy whose father is from Galway.

Good luck to Daniel O’Shaughnessy playing for Finland against Russia today. Not related, but great to see an O’Shaughnessy doing big things! pic.twitter.com/1Ee8EAt3gQ

— Historychappy (@historychappy) June 16, 2021

Referees

Sadly no, Ireland does not have any referees or linesmen officiating at Euro 2020.

Instead, Michelle O’Neill will represent Ireland by refereeing matches at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games in July.

She was on the first ever female team to take charge of a UEFA tournament final – Referee Michelle O' Neill is joining us to chat about making history on the pitch and breaking boundaries for women in sport! pic.twitter.com/e75UPyXasy

— The Six O'Clock Show (@SixOClockShow) August 26, 2019

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Collins is a 20-year-old central defender who has spent the last three seasons at Championship side Stoke City.

The young Dubliner has had admires from the Premier League for a while now. The Burnley manager has already had a €5m bid in January rejected.

There were also links with Werder Bremen and Manchester United in 2019 and Arsenal, Leicester, and Chelsea in 2020.

Unfortunately, Collins fractured a bone in his left foot near the end of this season. This ruled him out of making his Ireland debut in the friendlies against Hungary and Andorra.

If the Burnley sale were to sell him, that would make Collins the most expensive Stoke graduate in their history.

Burnley have agreed a fee with Stoke in the region of 12 million pounds for Nathan Collins

Source : John Percy @TeleFootball pic.twitter.com/y5xf4KnMGA

— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@RepTracker) June 22, 2021

Is Nathan Collins worth the price tag?

Football talent seems to run deep in the Collins family with his father, Dave, playing for Liverpool and Oxford United. His brother, Eamonn, also played League of Ireland football with UCD and Waterford.

Collins was made captain this season standing out in League Cup victories over Premier League teams, Aston Villa and Wolves.

Standing at 6’4’’ he could be the perfect inclusion in Dyche’s defensively strong team.

The young man has proved to be an aerial threat as well, scoring two goals in 22 appearances in the Championship this year.

Some of the Premier League ‘Big Six’ have been trying to lure James Tarkowski away from Burnley and Dyche may be in need of a replacement

Manager Michael O’Neill saw the youngster as a vital part of his team and now he could be an important part of Burnley’s Premier League future.

Nathan Collins in the Championship this season:

22 games
2 goals
1 assist
1.3 tackles won per 90
1.4 interceptions per 90
3 clearances per 90
3.1 aerials won per 90
13 blocked shots

Already wanted by many EPL clubs. Big potential. The future of Irish football.

— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 19, 2021

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