Cascarino: Given should ‘check his facts’ about my Irishness
Tony Cascarino has reprimanded former Ireland team-mate Shay Given for casting aspersions on his Irishness and affiliation to the country.
Given was questioned in the run-up the FA Cup final about the situation with Jack Grealish, the Aston Villa teenager who has yet to decide whether to play for Ireland or England.
Given had played up Grealish’s Irish connection, saying: “He has an affiliation with the country, it’s not like Cascarino or something”.
Cascarino used his column in The Sun today to respond to the comment.
“I played with Shay Given for Ireland for 3 ½ years,” Cascarino wrote. “He never once questioned my Irishness then, so I am surprised he’s done so now.”
Cascarino qualified to play for Ireland because his mother’s father was from Westport, and he played with Ireland for 14 years, earning 88 caps.
Partway through his international career he discovered his mother was adopted and so he had no genetic link to Ireland. However, adoption laws meant he was still eligible and he continued to play for the boys in green.
“I strongly resent Shay’s suggestion that I had no affiliation for Ireland,” Cascarino said.
“Because I have an Italian surname, I think I am an easy target when people discuss players born outside Ireland who played for the team - but I would expect more from Shay.”
The sports pundit isn’t willing to let the perceived slight slide, and intends to challenge the veteran Ireland goalkeeper when they next meet.
“I am one for tackling things head on, so when we next bump into each other, I will have it out with him.”
“He should check his facts, because I was not only proud to play for Ireland, but qualified to do so,” he continued.
“I take it quite personally when people call that into question.”
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