WOULD THIS ALL-IRELAND XI GET TO RUSSIA?
The strength of Irish soccer either side of the border has never been so even, combining the countries would create a powerful force
SEVEN years ago, Jonny Evans was part of the Manchester United first-team squad. Born and reared in the Rathcoole Estate, just north of Belfast, the 22year-old spoke candidly about the issue of identity and eligibility with regards international football.
‘I’m from Northern Ireland so I play for Northern Ireland. I never considered playing for the Republic and was never approached but I can understand why some players with a Catholic background would choose to represent the Republic,’ he told this newspaper at the time.
‘That’s their own choice and I respect that. Being a Protestant you play for Northern Ireland. Simple as that. You need passion for it so it shouldn’t matter about your background.’
Sectarianism has been a blight on the North, though, and the Irish Football Association (IFA) have gone to great lengths to eradicate such prejudice throughout its structures and at their impressively redeveloped Windsor Park which, for so long, was the epicentre of bigotry.
In 2011, Michael O’Neill made history by becoming the first six-counties-born Catholic to take charge of the international team. However, that hasn’t stopped Catholics from the North continuing to declare for the Republic despite starting their careers with the former.
As a result, the relationship between the IFA and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has been strained and in 2010 the FAI won a landmark case brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport centred on youngster Daniel Kearns.
The outcome ensured that all players born on the island of Ireland were eligible to represent the Republic.
It is a one-way route, though, and in recent years the likes of Darron Gibson, Marc Wilson, Shane Duffy, Eunan O’Kane and James McClean have all opted to switch after their development began with the North.
While they have gone on to become senior internationals, a major bone of contention for the IFA is the perceived poaching of underage talent by their counterparts in the south and, just last March, Northern Ireland boss O’Neill lashed out at the FAI for their tactics citing the example of Derry City midfielder Aaron McEneff who requested to defect with two games remaining of the Under 21s’ European Championship qualifying campaign.
‘We know conversations happen between the Republic of Ireland and our young players but I thought it was terrible,’ he said.
Despite this O’Neill has thrived since appointed and he was awarded an MBE after guiding Northern Ireland to their first ever European Championships last summer and reaching the last 16.
Heading into that tournament they were 26th in the FIFA rankings, five places better off than the Republic, while according to the latest figures they are now as evenly matched as ever before in that same 26th spot on 823 points apiece.
That being the case, and with World Cup qualifiers for both countries fast approaching, Sportsmail has picked its combined starting XI for an interchangeable formation of 5-3-1-1/3-5-1-1 from the current crop of players battling it out to reach Russia next summer.
GOALKEEPER
Michael McGovern edges this. Commanding, confident and a strong shot-stopper, the 32-year-old has conceded just two goals in five games during this qualifying campaign – the fewest of any goalkeeper for a team currently in second place in their respective group. He is the ideal man to organise and cajole the men chosen in front of him. While Darren Randolph has come to the fore with the Republic under Martin O’Neill, McGovern has also proven a more than capable performer at international level.
DEFENCE
This has a solid Northern look about it with the three centre-halves all coming from Michael O’Neill’s side. Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley are team-mates at West Bromwich Albion and have a fine understanding. The latter is 38 this year and has 71 caps since making his debut 13 years ago. He is a key figure and his partnership with Evans, quality since coming through at United, is solid. Evans is the more technically gifted and assured in possession and Northern Ireland have conceded only twice (against Germany), keeping clean sheets in their four other qualifiers. Alongside them in a three-man defence is Watford’s Craig Cathcart. He is another graduate of the Old Trafford academy, but has struggled with a groin complaint during the past campaign but, once fit, he slots in perfectly and offers another calming presence in the centre. Shane Duffy has, so far, lacked that trait for his country, his costly mis-
take against Moldova gifting them a goal, although it is clear the vocal Derry native has strong leadership qualities.
MIDFIELD
Starting with the wing backs, Republic captain Seamus Coleman was in fine form before suffering a broken leg. With him on the right and James McClean on the left-hand side, you have two players who can give you the best of both worlds. When it’s time to attack, the pacey pair will offer a threat and, as would often be the case, they have
the defensive nous to sit in and make it a back five if under pressure. McClean, in particular, has become a more disciplined player in terms of his defensive duties but, as shown with his brace against Moldova and superb strike away in Vienna, he had added goals to his game.
The three in the middle give you energy, threat from set-plays, composure and – most importantly – quality. The North’s Steven Davis would be the central figure. He is a real class act and would be perfect alongside Jeff Hendrick on the right and Robbie Brady on the left.
Not as rash as Harry Arter, more mobile than Glenn Whelan and commanding than James McCarthy, Davis would help make the side tick alongside the creativity of Brady and Hendrick.
ATTACK
The North have scored three goals more than the Republic so far (hitting both San Marino and Azerbaijan for four at Windsor Park was a help) but you could not have a combined side without the mercurial Wes Hoolahan. Michael O’Neill doesn’t have a player like him and it’s a crying shame that Martin O’Neill will not be able to call on the 35-year-old for the next decade. With Davis’ ability to find him in space from the centre, Hoolahan would provide all the guile required to create chances. His eye-of-a-needle pass for Shane Long to score against Moldova was a prime example of his considerable talents.
And, even though that remains the Southampton striker’s only goal in Group D so far, the 30-yearold is a more reliable option than the erratic Kyle Lafferty.
Queens Park Rangers’ Conor Washington also broke his duck for this campaign with the North’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Norway last time out.
The Republic are currently in a more favourable position, level at the top of Group D with Serbia and four points clear of third-placed Wales.
Beating Austria in a fortnight is imperative, just as three points for the North is when they travel to Azerbaijan for their clash on June 10.
They face a tougher task of finishing as Group C winners, as Germany’s 100 per cent record has given them a five-point lead, and are in a head-to-head battle for a play-off spot with the Czech Republic.
So, while the Republic and Northern Ireland have given themselves a great chance of qualifying, their hopes remain delicately poised.