After debut v PSG, could John Patrick be answer in Ireland's midfield?

Corkman Jake O’Brien last season become the successor to Nancy’s Tony Cascarino by breaking into the Lyon team. Now John Patrick Finn, Ike Orazi and Andrew Omobamidele are in Ligue 1.

Stade de Reims' John Patrick tries to block Paris Saint-Germain's Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Pic: Thomas Samson, Afp Via Getty Images

Having waited 23 years for an Irishman to grace France’s Ligue 1, they come along like buses.

Corkman Jake O’Brien last season become the successor to Nancy’s Tony Cascarino by breaking into the Lyon team, eventually earning a €20m move to Everton in the summer.

John Patrick Finn possesses the opposite profile to late developer O’Brien, a midfielder tipped for stardom since joining Real Madrid at nine. His La Liga bow would come in 2020 - but for Getafe, smashing the club’s record for youngest league debutant at 17.

Excitement at the prospect of his contribution to Ireland was raised in 2021 when he pledged his allegiance despite interest from Spain and England.

The FAI held a Zoom call with the player and his mother, Cameroon-born Odetta, about coming onboard with Ireland. Finn’s late father John hailed from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

Similar to most hyped Irish players, potential didn’t translate into first-team exposure and last week the 21-year-old changed scene by moving to French club Stade de Reims. Him draped in an Irish tricolour at his unveiling following the €1m transfer was a reminder of his national identity.

“His powerful and dynamic profile fits perfectly into our sporting project,” beamed sporting director Pol-Édouard Caillot about a player simply known as John Patrick in the dressing-room.

“With his technical qualities and the energy he gives off on the pitch, he will strengthen our midfield. Stade de Reims is strengthening its midfield while affirming its strategy: relying on young players capable of providing a balance between freshness, talent and competitiveness.” 

Thankfully, manager Luka Elsner seems to concur.

Finn was thrust straight into the starting team for Saturday’s meeting with French champions PSG, his rustiness a factor in being withdrawn with 22 minutes remaining. The 1-1 draw at Parc des Princes banked a creditable point for the team sitting 12th of the 18 in the French top-flight table.

“All our players are to be highlighted,” said the Slovenian. “It was John Patrick's first start as a professional and he showed character.

“We can have regrets but managing to counter PSG's project is an excellent thing. This was their game between two Champions League fixtures.” 

Further exposure in France, allied to the paucity of midfield creativity, would propel Finn into the Ireland reckoning for the Nations League playoff against Bulgaria in March.

“I haven’t seen much, to be honest, but we have seen some highlights and talked about him,” explained manager Heimir Hallgrímsson in December.

“My assistant John O’Shea knows him from the underage system so he gave me some points. We are watching, for sure.

“It’s great to have players playing other than only the UK - a good experience for them and good for us to have different kinds of players.” 

That applies to 17-year-old Ike Orazi – the capture from Shamrock Rovers on the Reims bench at the weekend – but moreso in the short-term to Andrew Omobamidele.

His nightmare season at Nottingham Forest – a sole appearance – was relieved by an approach from Strasbourg, who swiftly concluded a loan deal until June, with an option then to purchase.

Omobamidele began Saturday’s fixture against Lille as a substitute but was introduced at the break as his new team saw out a win to remain in eight place.