IRELAND CALL-UP CAPS DREAM WEEK FOR RICE

DECLAN RICE has revealed that his dream week in professional football is tinged with regret because his grandparents are no longer around to witness his first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad. The West Ham United teenager made his Premier League debut on Sunday and his whirlwind end to the season was capped when Martin O’Neill offered the centre back an invite to this week’s three-day training camp in Cork ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier against Austria. Rice (left) was raised in England but his grandparents hailed from Douglas and the 18-yearold has represented Ireland from Under-16 level. He was named U17 player of the year at the FAI awards in March and starred for the U19s during their Elite Phase games in Belgium that same month. ‘My manager called me up and said that Martin O’Neill has just called him and wants to bring me in for three days just to have a little look. I couldn’t believe it,’ Rice began. ‘I was with my Dad and he was like “what?” No one could believe it to be honest. ‘My family are so proud, I just wish my nan and granddad could be here to see it because they are from Cork and obviously this training camp is in Cork. It would have been lovely but unfortunately they’re not here. ‘It’s lovely. I haven’t been over recently but I’m going to look to get back over with my mum and dad because I’ve still got family over here. ‘Last year I would have never thought I’d come this far to get the call to come in for three days.’