The FAI’s hopes of tempting Arsenal forward Ceadach O’Neill to declare for the Republic of Ireland have been dealt a significant blow by the player’s inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Derry-born O’Neill played in Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Guinea and France in June, but is understood to have considered a transfer to the FAI. Should the 18-year-old play in one of the four upcoming Nations League games against Georgia, Ukraine, or Hungary, however, he will not be permitted to complete a transfer for three years.
O’Neill was named on the bench for Arsenal’s preseason friendly win against Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in August, after which he was asked about his future at international level. “We just have to see what happens,” he told the BBC. “At the minute I am just trying to come through at club level with Arsenal.”
Having already played twice for Northern Ireland, one more cap at senior level would mean O’Neill is not allowed to transfer to another association for whom he is eligible for three years. Should he make at least two appearances, he will be tied to Northern Ireland for good.
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That process could yet be stymied by injury, as O’Neill was not involved in Arsenal Under-21s’ defeat to Chelsea last Saturday. Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill did not provide any clarity on the player’s fitness, but said he believes he is committed to Northern Ireland.
“I’ve named him in the squad, so the fact I’ve picked him I think tells you that,” said O’Neill when asked if he had any doubts whether the player’s long-term future is with Northern Ireland.
“Ceadach’s been in our pathway for a long time. He’s been part of our academy. He’s already been in the squad and got two caps at senior international level and he’s in the squad on merit.
“He deserves to be in there because he played well in the two cameos that we gave him in the summer. I think he’s a player that very quickly can transition into a player that will compete for a starting place.
“Obviously it’s very, very difficult to gain playing time at Arsenal but Ceadach’s a young player and we should just let Ceadach focus on his career and we should support him as much as possible.”
O’Neill comes from a GAA background, as his uncles Paddy and Eoin Bradley have represented Derry’s football team with distinction. FAI director of football John Martin declined to speak specifically about O’Neill when asked at a media briefing on Monday.
Everton academy forward Braiden Graham, who is also understood to be open to the possibility of switching to the FAI, has also been named in O’Neill’s senior squad.
Eighteen-year-old Graham, who became Linfield’s youngest-ever first-team player when he made his debut in March 2023, was also named in Northern Ireland squad for the friendlies against Guinea and France, but he did not make an appearance. Graham was an unused substitute in Everton’s goalless draw against Tottenham in the Premier League last weekend.
Northern Ireland Nations League squad
Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Conor Hazard (Wycombe), Pierce Charles (QPR, on loan from Manchester City); Dan Ballard and Trai Hume (both Sunderland), Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford), Paddy McNair (Hull), Ruairi McConville (Norwich), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn), Eoin Toal (Bolton), Michael Forbes (Dundee United); Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny (both Stoke), Shea Charles (Fulham), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (QPR), Jordan Thompson (Preston), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool); Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield), Callum Marshall (Luton), Jamie Donley (Luton, on loan from Tottenham), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal).
