Hornet Hoban so proud to wear the green

While some Englishmen who declared for Ireland over the years may have openly admitted to having tenuous links to their ancestral home, there can be no questioning the agenda of Under-19 captain Tommie Hoban.

“My mother was born in Dublin and my Dad’s parents are from Westport in Mayo and Limerick. So, all four of my grandparents are Irish,” said the Watford defender, who has played the last three Championship games for Gianfranco Zola’s side.

“Two years ago I came into the under 17 squad for the first time as the new boy in the camp. Now, I’m realising a dream by captaining Ireland.”