England 1-1 Ireland.
Positive news coming out of the FAI headquarters this morning as attacking midfielder, Dan Crowley, has done the opposite to Declan Rice and pledged his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, leaving England in the process.
The 21-year-old has taken advantage of the ‘granny-rule’ and has decided to follow the same path as other former Irish players such as Chris Hughton, John Aldridge, Tony Cascarino, to name but a few.
Crowley, born in Coventry, England, qualifies for the Republic under his Irish grandparents and, in an interview with Independent.ie, confirmed his decision.
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The creative midfielder currently plies his trade with Dutch Eredivisie outfit, Willem II, and began his career with the Aston Villa youth academy where he played alongside Irish striker Graham Burke.
It was at Villa, where he made such a great impression that Arsenal came knocking in 2014. He spent three years under Arsene Wenger but was being loaned out to clubs like Barnsley and Oxford United before making a temporary move to Dutch club, Go Ahead Eagles, in 2017. It was during this stint with the Eagles that Crowley impressed with two goals in 16 appearances.
Willem II purchased the Coventry man on a three-year deal in 2017, making 10 appearances for the side before being loaned out to the Eerste Divisie (second tier of Dutch football) side, SC Cambuur, for six months where the skilful dribbler made 15 appearances, scoring three goals in the process.
Dan Crowley in August for @WillemII 🔥pic.twitter.com/GuAn8WoI8e
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 22, 2019
Dan Crowley is now back at his parent club and has become a pivotal player for Willem II this season, playing 22 games and contributing to his team by scoring four goals as his side currently sit 12th in the Dutch league.
Crowley has tasted international football for both Ireland and England at underage level, most recently playing for England U-19’s in 2015. Still only 21, Crowley could be the answer to the lack of exciting, attacking options Mick McCarthy has going for him as he prepares for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Ireland fans will be happy with this news especially with the heartbreaking Valentines Day news that West Ham player, Declan Rice decided to turn out for the Three Lions instead of continuing his senior Irish career.
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