I’m sorry I had to quit Ireland, says Villain Lowry

ASTON VILLA’S young defender Shane Lowry has apologised to Ireland for switching his allegiance to his country of birth, Australia.

The Ireland U21 international is part of a 23-man Australia training squad in Dubai preparing for the crunch Asian Cup qualifying match against Kuwait and the 20-year-old admits he could not say no to Australia when they came calling.

“At the end of the day, I have always seen myself as an Aussie,” said Lowry, who was born in Perth and left to join Villa when he was 15.