Living the green dream

WHEN Ireland’s World Cup campaign controversially hit the buffers in Paris last November, the name Paul Green would have meant little to aggrieved and lamenting supporters in this country.

But just a month later, the Derby County midfielder quietly took the bold step of writing to the FAI to inform them of his Irish eligibility and now, barely 10 months later, he stands poised to make his competitive debut for his country in the opening game of the European Championship campaign.

“My family always pushed me and my granddad always pushed me to put my name forward,” says the Yorkshire-born 27-year-old. “But, obviously, being down in the lower leagues, I thought they’d never look at me. The higher I got, and then with a season in the Championship under my belt, I thought I’d put my name forward and see what came of it.”