Manchester City youngster Stephen Ireland is named in the Republic of Ireland’s under-21 squad for next month’s Madeira Tournament. It is the first call-up the Cork midfielder has received at this level.
Ireland (19) has made dramatic progress at club level in recent months - so much so the club has tied him to a 2009 contract - and he is tipped to step up to senior level in the near future.
Indeed, both Ireland and his Bolton counterpart, Joey O’Brien, were singled out for particular attention by new manager Steve Staunton at his unveiling last week.
Today’s call-up from under-21 boss Don Givens is then a progressive step towards that ultimate objective.
Ireland has been out of the international picture since falling out with Brian Kerr a few years ago when the Dubliner was the Republic of Ireland’s underage manager.
"We had a problem a few years ago, which has never been solved," Ireland admitted.
"I would love to play for Ireland. It is one of my dreams. I am not sure if I am ready for the first team yet but maybe the under-21s. It would be great to get involved. I have not given up on Ireland, not at all."
But, Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce could still block Ireland’s involvement in the tournament as the FA Cup fifth round - should City get that far - is scheduled for February 19th.
The Republic of Ireland play hosts Madeira in their opening game on Valentines Day. They then play Finland on February 15th and Portugal two days later - just 48 hours before a potential City cup game.
Pearce will not want one of his best performers this season risked so close to a potentially crucial game.
Nevertheless, Ireland is joined in Givens’s 20-man squad by his Manchester City team-mate Willo Flood - who is currently on loan at Coventry City - and Celtic’s Aiden McGeady.
McGeady made weekend headlines by coming off the bench to score in the win over Motherwell but despite those heroics has resigned himself to more substitutes roles.
"I am sure it has got me a little closer to a starting place but I am probably still not starting," he said. "Unless someone gets injured, I really can't see the manager changing the midfield."
There are five eircom League players in the Madeira squad. UCD duo Darren Quigley and Gary Dicker are selected as are Drogheda's Stephen Bradley, Stephen Ward from Bohemians and Cork City's Roy O'Donovan.
Givens today welcomed the new players to the squad and hopes the experience will stand his players in good stead ahead of Friday’s Uefa under-21 European Championship draw in Montreux, Switzerland.
Rep of Ireland U21: Colin Doyle (Birmingham), Darren Quigley (UCD), Keith Keane (Luton), Gerard Nash (Ipswich), Paul McShane (Brighton), Marcos Painter (Birmingham), James Hand (Huddersfield), Shane McFaul (Notts County), Gary Dicker (UCD), Michael Collins (Huddersfield), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Willo Flood (Manchester City), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Stephen Foley (Bournemouth), Stephen Bradley (Drogheda United), Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Ward (Bohemians), Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe) Mark Yeates (Colchester), Roy O'Donovan (Cork City)
