Belfast boy Sean Moore pledges immediate future to Republic of Ireland
HOT PROSPECT: Cliftonville’s Sean Moore celebrates. Pic: ©INPHO/Jonathan Porter
Ireland U19 manager Tom Mohan insists Belfast boy Sean Moore has no hesitation in committing to the Republic cause.
The 17-year-old Cliftonville attacker had only represented Northern Ireland at U18 level – a non-competitive grade when it comes to Fifa’s eligibility rule – and snubbed the Irish FA to accept an invitation for the upcoming U19 qualifiers that Ireland hosts in the south-east.
Ireland have a strong chance of reaching the July finals in Malta, having been drawn against Slovakia, Estonia and Greece. Only the top team progresses to the eight-nation showpiece.
After being handed his senior debut at 16 last season, Moore has made 29 appearances this term for the Irish League’s second-placed club, who rebuffed six-figure offers from UK clubs for their star before the January transfer deadline.
Moore, considered a relative late developer, has already gained a legion of admirers both home and abroad.
Brighton and Newcastle United are monitoring the flanker, who doesn’t turn 18 till August, but it was West Ham United who made the most serious effort to acquire him in the run-up to last Tuesday’s deadline by lodging a £200,000 bid. Cliftonville’s decision to reject stems from their eagerness to retain their prize asset for their tilt at a first NIFL Premiership title since 2014.
It could be a short or long time before Moore's full intentions to be established and whether his potential translates into readiness for senior international level but many are tipping the tyro to follow Mark Sykes, who only last November became the first Belfast-born player to play for the Republic in 76 years. He had previously lined out for Northern Ireland U21s.
“There were no real problems with Sean, he was committed to coming,” said Mohan on Wednesday when unveiling his 20-man squad.
“We were aware of Sean at the start of the season but we had no real events because of the World Cup and the international windows.
“We finished up in September so the first opportunity I had to bring Sean in for a home-based in-house game, I took him in.
“He was flying in the Irish League and has done well. Cliftonville are right up there at the top, he's scored key goals in big games, creating chances and has gone from strength to strength.
Asked about competition from their cross-border association, Mohan added: “Naturally, as a good player who is eligible for both countries, they will try hard to get him but thankfully he has come across the line with us.
“He's a very good player, any young player that can play senior football.
“Sean is still a 2005-born player – eligible again for U19 next year.
“To go in and play at that level, perform against the teams he has performed against, it speaks volumes for him as a player and as a person too.
“I was made aware about Sean, he was keen to come and we were keen to get him. He's done really well and I am looking forward to having him in camp.
“Players go both ways and nobody is breaking any rules. Players from the Republic who played for us went to play for the North. We take players from the North.
“It works both ways; not just one-way traffic.”
Former Cork City youngsters Franco Umeh and Mark O'Mahony have also been included in Mohan's squad for the upcoming trio of Euro qualifiers.
Ireland are due to face Slovakia, Estonia and Greece at Wexford's Ferrycarrig Park next week.
Umeh and O'Mahony - now at Premier League outfits Crystal Palace and Brighton, respectively - have hit the ground running at their new clubs, with Umeh netting a brace on his debut for the Londoners' U18s.
The duo are not the only former League of Ireland-based players named who are now plying their trade in England and Europe, however: Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan, formerly of Shamrock Rovers); Alex Murphy (Newcastle United, formerly of Galway United); James Abankwah (Udinese, formerly of St Pat's); Harry Nevin (Preston, formerly of Cork City) and John Ryan (Sassuolo, formerly of UCD).
Zefi has been in particularly good form in the black and blue of Inter Milan under-18s of late, notching 14 goals and registering two assists in his last ten.
Other notable inclusions Rocco Vata (Celtic), Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Sam Curtis (St Pat's) and Ed McJannet of Italian outfit Lecce ensure Mohan has an extremely strong squad to pick from.
Not included, however, is AC Milan's Cathal Heffernan. The Leesider is eligible to play under-19 again next year.
Reece Byrne (Bohemians), Owen Mason (Kettering Town, on loan from Mansfield Town)
James Abankwah (Udinese), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), James Golding (Oxford United), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Harry Nevin (Preston North End), John Ryan (Sassulo)
Justin Ferizaj (Shamrock Rovers), Oisin Gallagher (Barwell, on loan from Lincoln City), Ed McJannet (Lecce), James McManus (Bohemians), Harry Vaughan (Hull City), Rocco Vata (Celtic)
Tommy Lonergan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Moore (Cliftonville), Mark O’Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan)
Wednesday, March 22 | Ireland MU19 v Slovakia MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford KO 3.30pm (Live on LOITV)
Saturday, March 25 | Ireland MU19 v Estonia MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 3.30pm (Live on LOITV)
Tuesday, March 28 | Ireland MU19 v Greece MU19, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford, KO 7.30pm (Live on LOITV)
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