The Players that didn't choose Ireland

Imagine Wayne Rooney pulling on the green jersey and partnering Robbie Keane up front. Imagine Martin Keown marshalling the Irish back four in Japan and Korea in 2002. Imagine having the option of Aaron Lennon on the wing to rival Aiden McGeady, James McClean et al.

These players, along with countless others, all became stars for the native country and our ‘auld enemy’, however, what they all have in common is their Irish background.

In Ireland’s wilderness years between reaching World Cups in USA (1994) and then Japan and Korea (2002), there was a distinct transformation in the sides that boasted only the longevity of players such as Niall Quinn, Jason McAteer and before his departure, Roy Keane. There was an influx of English-born Irish players to don the green jersey, with several, such as McAteer, Matt Holland, Tony Cascarino and Alan Kelly all prolific during this period.

Indeed in more recent squads, the likes of Keiren Westwood, Sean St Ledger, Simon Cox and Jon Walters have all been mainstays for Ireland, but with one eye on today’s fixture, it is intriguing to look at England players, past and present, that could have represented Ireland, and perhaps significantly improved the side in doing so.

Of tonight’s England squad, there are several that could have been playing for the opposition tonight. Chelsea defender Gary Cahill declared for England in 2007, ending any speculation that the then-Aston Villa player may have opted for Ireland. Uncapped goalkeeper Alex McCarthy could have been challenging David Forde instead of Joe Hart for a place in the team tonight. Wayne Rooney could have been lining up alongside Robbie Keane or Shane Long.

But the list of players that could have played for Ireland instead of England is endless.

For example, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown’s parents were both Irish, but having played underage football for England, Keown was ineligible for Ireland. Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce is another. Never capped by England, Bruce’s Irish roots were only highlighted when his son Alex, now of Hull City, chose to play and then not to play for Ireland, eventually switching allegiance to Northern Ireland.

Midfielders such as Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman have all represented England with distinction, and all have Irish roots. Imagine Roy Keane looking to his left and seeing Scholes and Gerrard beside him in a midfield three.

Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon, who didn’t make the squad for this encounter, is another current player with strong Irish connections. The former Leeds United player has an Irish mother, and could have been more than a fringe player had he opted to represent the Republic instead.

The talent pool that Ireland avails of, compared to the size of England’s, is minute. In recent years, tales of Irish ancestry have surrounded players such as Jamie O’Hara, Anton Ferdinand, Kevin Nolan and even Jermaine Pennant. However, with none of these players coming to the fore to actually represent Ireland denotes that perhaps we were just a Plan B for some of them. And with so many hungry young Irish players such as Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, James McClean and Seamus Coleman all eager to get into squads, it may be better for the future of Irish football to blood this era of new talent, as opposed to handpicking players that want an International career with anyone that will take them.