To finally say that I’m Irish and can play is an honour - Eiran Cashin 

Eiran Cashin of Republic of Ireland speaking to RTÉ after the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying group F match between Republic of Ireland and Montenegro at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

For a player ahead of schedule in his club career under Wayne Rooney, Eiran Cashin had to play the waiting game for his international career to flight.

It wasn’t that the centre-back was down the pecking order with Ireland, for his 18 appearances for Championship outfit Derby County bolstered his credentials for involvement with the U21s.