Three Ireland stars to watch at U17 World Cup
ONES TO WATCH: Jaden Umeh, Rory Finneran and Victor Ozhianvuna are three stars to watch at the U17 World Cup.
One of the two former Ringmahon Rangers brothers, this talented winger made his Cork City debut at 15 before moving to Portugal to join giants Benfica.
He’s a major reason why Ireland reached a tournament that Spain and Netherlands haven’t.
Although Belgium qualified from their group for the Euros, starting with a 1-0 win over Ireland, braces by Umeh in the victory over Iceland and mini-group hosts Poland earned them the ticket to the World Cup.
Whereas his brother Franco waited until past the 18-year-old threshold to join Crystal Palace – since getting bought by Portsmouth for €500,000 – Jaden opted to go earlier through the European stage in August 2024.
Observers of the Champions League youth league will have seen the Cork teen marvel, including his first goal at that level against Chelsea in September. His pace and power, from either wing, constitutes one of Ireland’s most potent threats.
Through no fault of his, Finneran’s name may be shared in the same sentence as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish should his ascent continue.
Despite being born in England, the classy midfielder swiftly declared for Ireland through his Dad from Sligo, Enniscrone-born, Ged. Colin O’Brien has no concerns about his captain jumping ship.
Finneran drew attention in February 2024 when becoming the youngest-ever Blackburn Rovers debutant at the age of 15 in an FA Cup match against Cambridge United, even when was not able to sign professional forms.
Newcastle United swooped in that summer in a move that still remains under dispute. A tribunal was required to settle the fee but Blackburn are understood to be considering legal action to realise the worth of their prize teen asset.
That won’t worry the playmaker while he’s on international duty.
One player whose fee has been locked in is the latest Rovers starlet. Terms have been brokered for an initial €2m fee that will see the midfielder join Arsenal in January 2027.
Ozhianvuna was long flagged as an emerging star from a Hoops underage team coached by former Gunner Graham Barrett and it was while facing fellow prodigy Max Downman in an Arsenal tournament that scouts intensified their interest.
Last February the Tallaght native born to parents from from Russian and Nigeria was announced on the national scene by featuring for Rovers over the space of a week against Molde in the Conference League playoff and then Bohemians at Aviva Stadium.
His game-time since has been sporadic, primarily due to injury, but he overcame a knock to board the flight to Qatar. Finding his best position is the best challenge, as manager Stephen Bradley feels he is comfortable in a variety of roles.
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