SEATTLE SOUNDERS’ LAMAR NEAGLE has revealed that he has been contacted by an Irish scout and would be excited by the possibility of representing the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to mlssoccer.com, the 27 year-old winger confirmed that he’s eligible for selection because of his Irish-born grandmother and that he and his mother both have Irish passports.
With Martin O’Neill having brought the likes of Cyrus Christie and David McGoldrick into his most recent squads, he’s actively seeking new players. And as MLS continues to grow and develop as a league, it opens up opportunities for second and third generation Irish players to get capped.
Shane O’Neill, whose father is ex-Cork footballer Colm O’Neill and whose uncle is Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald, is yet to make a senior debut for the US but it seems only a matter of time before he does.
The 21 year-old defender has been an unused substitute in the team’s most recent collection of friendlies. On the FAI’s radar for a number of years (O’Neill began to make his mark with Colorado Rapids in 2013), he’s never been selected in any Irish squad and he seems set to slip through the net.
With the Republic of Ireland surely keen not to allow other potential targets fall through their fingers, Neagle has said he’d ‘love’ to get an approach from the organisation.
If they do [give me the opportunity], that’s cool. That’s awesome. I’d love for the opportunity. … It’d be a credit to the consistent progress that I’ve had over the years. A little late for a guy to be getting his first shot at any national team, but it’s definitely flattering to hear.”
Since re-signing with the Sounders in 2013, Neagle has been in terrific form. In his first season back in the Pacific Northwest, he scored eight goals and tallied four assists in 30 games. Last term, he was ever better and scored nine times while racking up nine assists.
