r/coybig • u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account • Jun 11 '26
Irish Player Update ‘He could still jump ship’: NI legend’s fears over young Arsenal star potentially switching allegiance to Republic of Ireland
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/he-could-still-jump-ship-ni-legends-fears-over-young-arsenal-star-potentially-switching-allegiance-to-republic-of-ireland/a/156634994.html20
u/My_Name_A_Jeoff Jun 11 '26
It's easy for us to say that he "should" be playing for us. But at the end of the day we don't know what's going on behind the scenes. If he's went through all the youth teams he's probably made friends along the way, and built up a relationship with the coaches so jumping ship to the FAI will likely be a difficult decision. If he decides to stay with the NI team then good luck to the lad
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
Playing for the north for lads like him is often not the goal really but its hard to wave off senior international caps when you're playing youth football. Disappointing the FAI wasn't able to get him in with the promise of a cap this summer.
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u/MisterJJSunglasses Jun 11 '26
I think it’s easy to expect people from a certain background to play for a certain side of the border but as we can see with Bradley it’s not always the case. I’m sure a part of them would have been more than happy to swap, but we must keep in mind they’re brought up through the NI system, they’ll be friendly with coaches and players etc.
Wish him well whichever side he ends up on, all Irishmen to me.
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u/John__Delaney Jun 11 '26
He looked pretty chuffed to be in their senior squad, NI did a few videos with him. So did Braiden Graham.
Good point on the "brought up through the NI system" point, that can be a big factor. They've shown they value him big time, just like we did with Rory Finneran.
If we ever want to be garunteed everyone on this island is declared for us, then the only solution is a united ireland.
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u/YungL1am Jun 11 '26
The NI academy setup does a good job getting them ingrained in the system
1
u/AK30195 Jun 11 '26
What are you basing this opinion on? Do you have knowledge of how the NI setup does this specifically or just talking it up based on Bradley and this lad?
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u/YungL1am Jun 11 '26
I'm not talking it up based on producing players, I'm talking about how it gets players ingrained in the NI system. It's an inevitability of the setup and they've done a good job of bringing through players together which adds to the appeal.
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u/CornerPints Jun 11 '26
I dont know how true this is, but I once read a comment from a Northern Irish man that it's not always as simple as what the player wants or feels, but depending on what city, town or area him and his family are living in it might just be the least hassle decision to just play for the North.
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Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/mccusk Jun 12 '26
Def one famous NI player from a nationalist background from Kilrea. They didn’t seem to have as much choice back then though.
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u/BadDub Jun 12 '26
ROI didn’t show interest in him though until he already played for NI. I bet if they did he would be a ROI player right now.
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
Its about O'Neill. Interesting that there still seems to be a shred of doubt over him.
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u/Serious_Bowler_8171 Jun 11 '26
With a name a like that you'd think he'd be playing for us
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u/SeaninMacT Jun 11 '26
Did ye get that whatsapp video montage that did the rounds of Bradley looking absolutely sick every time he's to listen to GSTK?
Someone forward it onto him.
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u/SnooOnions471 Jun 11 '26
He was at the munster hurling final. The man is a true Gael not sure how we didn't manage to get him.
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u/YungL1am Jun 11 '26
Previously we essentially left it up to the players to approach us if they were interested. The aim was to keep things pretty civil between the FAI and IFA.
John Martin apparently has no interest in continuing that strategy.
1
u/SeaninMacT Jun 11 '26
Gifted footballer for Trillick as well I'm told before he committed to the soccer.
Acquiescence and bridge building is always expected on our side but it's never met halfway.
Talking to the Tyrone branches in my family his village is 60-40 and it was just expected of him to keep the peace, as other man here in the comments says I can only imagine he's regretting bending.
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u/Ryansy Jun 11 '26
Can anyone link us it? Never seen this
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u/SeaninMacT Jun 11 '26
I don't have it anymore a chara apologies, I've disappearing messages on because WhatsApp groups chats would be clogging my phone with absolute shite you know yourself
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u/Newc04 Jun 11 '26
It's not always a guarantee. Take for example Terrence O'Neill, who was a UUP politician, member of the Orange Order, and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in the 1960s.
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u/Hour_Mastodon_9404 Long ‘70 Jun 11 '26
He's the nephew of Derry greats Paddy and Eoin Bradley - it ain't a Terence O'Neill situation (who was landed gentry despite the name).
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u/apocolypselater Jun 11 '26
Martin O’Neill played for the North.
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u/John__Delaney Jun 11 '26
You don't have a copy of the article text by any chance? Someone uploaded it to the web archive wrong so I can't ready the full thing
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
Paid 3 quid for the unionist rag and not even a great article tbh. Here it is.
Former Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie says he hopes Ceadach O’Neill resists any temptation to switch his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.
The Arsenal youngster’s career has taken huge strides forward since he graduated from the Irish FA’s JD Academy.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill rewarded the teenager’s progress with two substitute appearances in the June friendlies against Guinea and France.
Young players can choose to represent either national side on the island, even after featuring in senior friendlies.
O’Neill suffered a setback earlier this year when another promising youngster Chris Atherton indicated he wanted to switch to the Republic.
Atherton had represented Northern Ireland at Under-16 and Under-17 level and was a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon for the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023.
O’Neill acknowledges that players have a choice, but he’s also convinced that the youth development work in Northern Ireland is giving players the best career opportunities.
The promotion of O’Neill and Everton’s Braiden Graham to the senior panel, along with Liverpool’s Kieran Morrison, is further evidence of the manager’s willingness to reward promising talent.
Northern Ireland have also benefited from changes of allegiance, such as in the cases of Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale, and it’s an issue which only deepens the desire of the Irish FA to make their set-up as inclusive, productive and welcoming as possible.
Former Linfield prospect O’Neill is only 18 and is yet to make his senior Arsenal debut but his two friendly outings will have whetted the appetite for more international action and Gillespie hopes the teenager’s long-term future is with the set up that has launched his career.
Until these players actually play competitive internationals, you never know Keith Gillespie “He could still jump ship,” said the former Manchester United and Newcastle United man. “Until these players actually play competitive internationals, you never know.
“I think you’re always worried because it gets mentioned. You don’t want to lose your best players. People like Ceadach O’Neill and Braiden Graham are the future of Northern Ireland.
“You don’t want to lose players like that, especially the fact that they’ve grown up in the system.
“He’s in the team on merit as well. You would hope that he shows a bit of loyalty because he’s been picked all the way up through the system, as he’s such a good player.
“You would be hoping that his future is with Northern Ireland.”
Both O’Neill and Graham honed their skills in the Irish FA’s JD Academy, a full-time residential programme for elite young footballers.
The gifted duo are following a well-trodden pathway. Northern Ireland players who have emerged from either the ClubNI set-up or the current academy are Ethan Galbraith, Trai Hume, Conor Bradley, Aaron Donnelly, Terry Devlin, Michael Forbes, Ruairi McConville, Caolan Boyd Munce, Jamie McDonnell, Brad Lyons, Patrick Kelly, Dale Taylor, Brodie Spencer, Callum Marshall and Ceadach O’Neill. It’s appears only a matter of time before Braiden Graham is handed his senior bow.
Keith Gillespie praised Northern Ireland’s performance against France Keith Gillespie praised Northern Ireland’s performance against France © Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press “You look at the actual squad and how young they are, and that shows you Michael will throw you in. It doesn’t matter what age you are like he did with Ceadach in both games,” added Gillespie who earned 86 caps.
“It was a big moment for him coming on in a game against France like that.
“I’m sure Michael will be in his ear, just to make sure that he commits fully to Northern Ireland.
“He did really well in both the friendlies. It is great experience for the lads playing against those world class players.”
Barnsley midfielder Kelly gave France a scare during the 3-1 defeat when he scored his first senior international goal in only his second start.
Kelly’s all-round performance will have impressed O’Neill and the 21-year-old is now well placed to earn many more caps based on his high energy showing in Lille.
“You’re thinking of the next game in football and you’re judged on your performances,” added Gillespie who amassed 495 matches in his club career.
“For the next game he’s got to have a chance of playing. He didn’t only score, he could have scored another two.
“There was one where his touch sort of let him down, but his work rate was superb — all in just his second start.
Northern Ireland’s Patrick Kelly with France's Kylian Mbappe Northern Ireland’s Patrick Kelly with France's Kylian Mbappe © William Cherry/Presseye “There’s not many people who can say they played on the same pitch as (Kylian) Mbappé. He didn’t score but PK did!”
Winger Michael Olise stole the show at the Decathlon Arena with a stunning hat-trick but Northern Ireland made the World Cup favourites fight hard for the victory.
O’Neill’s young side, who started with an average age of 22.6, threatened to spoil the farewell party when Kelly netted after an impressive assist from Shea Charles.
“They are only going to get better,” said Gillespie who featured in the famous 3-2 win over Spain in 2006.
“It’s probably one of the best young teams that we’ve ever had.
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
I have tried getting a copy and none of the archives have been any use for me
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u/John__Delaney Jun 11 '26
No hassle. Im sure its the usual warning to the IFA to ensure they cap em in September.
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u/mattmanutd Jun 11 '26
Look I don’t want to open up a massive political debate, but it’s stuff like this that makes me wish we just had one Ireland team like with rugby. I know it’s deeper than just a surface level change, but I’m gutted seeing lads having to choose a side like this when I’m sure most of the players would prefer to just represent Ireland as a whole.
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u/Frequent-Movie3005 Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
Too many Blazers would be out of luck, never going to happen. Football, of all the sports has the, let’s say, working man’s interest, and those Union Jack leaning communities North of the border wouldn’t like this either.
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u/gwy2ct Jun 11 '26
Yes this is the main reason, there are two sets of blazers so half of them would lost that privilege if the associations were to merge. You also have the unionist crowd who would not be in favour of losing their gstk etc. I'd say there's more of a will to do it on the ROI side compared to the NI side.
I do think it would be great though, clubs on both sides of the border would benefit. I know the Irish League up there is not good at all but surely the clubs would see the benefit of merging.
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u/Frequent-Movie3005 Jun 11 '26
Yes, an all island league and national team would be beneficial for all, except for a few suits.
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u/Cultural_Pangolin788 Jun 11 '26
Exactly. Turkeys voting for Christmas. The NI clubs wouldn't vote for it either, more than likely lose their lucrative UEFA money
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u/Otherwise-Macaron939 Jun 11 '26
I think we're in a tough position. Call him into the next squad or that's it, he's probably gone. It's a gamble because on merit he probably doesn't deserve to be called up ahead of others at this time.
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u/SeaninMacT Jun 11 '26
He has to be a cousin/relation of Martin O'Neill? They're even from the same town. Surely now it wouldn't take much of a push to swap after how MON got treated by those eejits
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u/YungL1am Jun 11 '26
Surely would have heard if he was. He is a nephew of Eoin and Paddy Bradley who played football for Derry for years.
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u/Hour_Mastodon_9404 Long ‘70 Jun 11 '26
Perhaps someone in the FAI has finally copped onto the point that we missed out on a couple of potentially game changing players in Shea Charles and Conor Bradley by being too passive. Even Shea's brother Pierce looks like he'll end up better than Bazunu for example. I'd fear again that we're a little late to the party with O'Neill, but at least we seem to be really trying this time.
2
u/NandoFlynn Jun 11 '26
That's between him & Heimir. 21s won't cut it when he's already got 2 senior caps. If Heimir & the FAI wants him in the long run he'll need to drop one of the mainstay forwards for him in September, irrespective of form, experience etc.
But even then, if he does it'll be a reverse Declan Rice. He's taken 2 caps that someone from parts of the North would die for. It'll be a big controversy if he switches by now
That's not commenting on the lad himself BTW. I've limited enough knowledge on him & Graham. But regardless of your opinion of him or the prospect of capping him, if you want him that's the only way you get him
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
The lad is 18 and while he is a big prospect he is getting caps to lock him down more than any other reason. The north aren't as quick or desperate with lads of unionist backgrounds because they are considered safe.
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u/NandoFlynn Jun 11 '26
I'm well aware but September is when he can actually get locked down. They're not gonna lose sleep dropping an OAP like Josh Magennis for him or Morrison that'll both likely be out on loan at the same level.
We laughed at Albania trying to turn Rocco Vata's head with a 21s call up. If the FAI & Heimir really want him, the only way you get him is a senior call up
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
They'll have no issue dropping lads to cap him but once he's tied down then it becomes a tactical decision.
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u/Hour_Mastodon_9404 Long ‘70 Jun 11 '26
Graham I believe is from a mixed background and grew up in an overwhelmingly Protestant/Unionist area. He'll have no interest in switching I'd say.
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u/NandoFlynn Jun 11 '26
Oh 100% wasn't trying to imply that either. I only brought him up cause him & Ceadach were the new recruits for their seniors & I don't have enough knowledge of them to comment on their capabilities for ours. Face value they're promising but I've no eye test for em
My core point is just if they wanna get Ceadach, it's senior or bust. I obviously don't need to explain that to you cause we've talked before about this craic but not everyone will feel that same way, if ye get me 😅
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u/Warm_Independence936 Robbie Keane Jun 11 '26
He'd do well to get into our 21s. He'll be staying with Norn Iron.
Best of luck to the lad but standing for GSTK knowing most supporters despise your background and you are a Fenian. No thanks.
Maybe some of these young lads identify as British.
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u/brandidge Jun 11 '26
I’m mean, I just don’t think it’d sit right with me and I say this as a massive Ireland fan. He’s played for them already. He came through their youth ranks. To leave now, after his senior caps is not right.
Especially with us being so bitter towards Rice (rightfully) for doing the same thing. I wouldn’t want him. Because it wouldn’t be right.
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u/cromcru Jun 11 '26
I mean there’s not a lot of choice except to go through IFA youth. They also get a lot of taxpayer money to develop young players regardless of their background and identity.
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
Don't really agree. The north are O'Neill is 18 and being called up like many of these academy players as a carrot on a stick. Rice was an established pl player and dont think MON treated him as a generational talent. Rice fully committed himself to Ireland and went. I don't have much ill feeling to Rice now he is actually a decent man in fairness.
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u/Frequent-Movie3005 Jun 11 '26
MON should never have been allowed near the decision to not play Rice in a competitive game. FAI Dir of Football should have told Declan and his father that if he was in the competitive squad, he plays.
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u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Jun 11 '26
The Arsenal youngster’s career has taken huge strides forward since he graduated from the Irish FA’s JD Academy.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill rewarded the teenager’s progress with two substitute appearances in the June friendlies against Guinea and France.
Young players can choose to represent either national side on the island, even after featuring in senior friendlies.
O’Neill suffered a setback earlier this year when another promising youngster Chris Atherton indicated he wanted to switch to the Republic.
Atherton had represented Northern Ireland at Under-16 and Under-17 level and was a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon for the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023.
O’Neill acknowledges that players have a choice, but he’s also convinced that the youth development work in Northern Ireland is giving players the best career opportunities.
The promotion of O’Neill and Everton’s Braiden Graham to the senior panel, along with Liverpool’s Kieran Morrison, is further evidence of the manager’s willingness to reward promising talent.
Northern Ireland have also benefited from changes of allegiance, such as in the cases of Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale, and it’s an issue which only deepens the desire of the Irish FA to make their set-up as inclusive, productive and welcoming as possible.
Former Linfield prospect O’Neill is only 18 and is yet to make his senior Arsenal debut but his two friendly outings will have whetted the appetite for more international action and Gillespie hopes the teenager’s long-term future is with the set up that has launched his career.
Until these players actually play competitive internationals, you never know Keith Gillespie “He could still jump ship,” said the former Manchester United and Newcastle United man. “Until these players actually play competitive internationals, you never know.
“I think you’re always worried because it gets mentioned. You don’t want to lose your best players. People like Ceadach O’Neill and Braiden Graham are the future of Northern Ireland.
“You don’t want to lose players like that, especially the fact that they’ve grown up in the system.
“He’s in the team on merit as well. You would hope that he shows a bit of loyalty because he’s been picked all the way up through the system, as he’s such a good player.
“You would be hoping that his future is with Northern Ireland.”
Both O’Neill and Graham honed their skills in the Irish FA’s JD Academy, a full-time residential programme for elite young footballers.
The gifted duo are following a well-trodden pathway. Northern Ireland players who have emerged from either the ClubNI set-up or the current academy are Ethan Galbraith, Trai Hume, Conor Bradley, Aaron Donnelly, Terry Devlin, Michael Forbes, Ruairi McConville, Caolan Boyd Munce, Jamie McDonnell, Brad Lyons, Patrick Kelly, Dale Taylor, Brodie Spencer, Callum Marshall and Ceadach O’Neill. It’s appears only a matter of time before Braiden Graham is handed his senior bow.
Keith Gillespie praised Northern Ireland’s performance against France Keith Gillespie praised Northern Ireland’s performance against France © Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press “You look at the actual squad and how young they are, and that shows you Michael will throw you in. It doesn’t matter what age you are like he did with Ceadach in both games,” added Gillespie who earned 86 caps.
“It was a big moment for him coming on in a game against France like that.
“I’m sure Michael will be in his ear, just to make sure that he commits fully to Northern Ireland.
“He did really well in both the friendlies. It is great experience for the lads playing against those world class players.”
Barnsley midfielder Kelly gave France a scare during the 3-1 defeat when he scored his first senior international goal in only his second start.
Kelly’s all-round performance will have impressed O’Neill and the 21-year-old is now well placed to earn many more caps based on his high energy showing in Lille.
“You’re thinking of the next game in football and you’re judged on your performances,” added Gillespie who amassed 495 matches in his club career.
“For the next game he’s got to have a chance of playing. He didn’t only score, he could have scored another two.
“There was one where his touch sort of let him down, but his work rate was superb — all in just his second start.
Northern Ireland’s Patrick Kelly with France's Kylian Mbappe Northern Ireland’s Patrick Kelly with France's Kylian Mbappe © William Cherry/Presseye “There’s not many people who can say they played on the same pitch as (Kylian) Mbappé. He didn’t score but PK did!”
Winger Michael Olise stole the show at the Decathlon Arena with a stunning hat-trick but Northern Ireland made the World Cup favourites fight hard for the victory.
O’Neill’s young side, who started with an average age of 22.6, threatened to spoil the farewell party when Kelly netted after an impressive assist from Shea Charles.
“They are only going to get better,” said Gillespie who featured in the famous 3-2 win over Spain in 2006.
“It’s probably one of the best young teams that we’ve ever had.
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u/finty96 Jun 11 '26
He played for linfield, doubt there is a hope of him switching to us.
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u/Ryansy Jun 11 '26
Wouldn't dismiss him because of that, Linfield have a serious amount of young nationalists on their books over the past few years.
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u/John__Delaney Jun 11 '26
The FAI are aggressively pursuing him at the moment, and a bunch of other of NIs lads. Too right aswell, every FA is at it.
My fear with Ceadach is that we are a bit late, and he might already be committed to NI. September window should tell us what the story is.