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Football

04th Jan 2016

Ireland U-21 manager says he won’t pursue highly rated Daniel Crowley

"He knows our position"

Robert Redmond

Will this be a repeat of the Jack Grealish saga?

Noel King has said he won’t pursue highly rated midfielder Daniel Crowley.

The 18 year old, on-loan from Arsenal at League One side Barnsley, is eligible to play for both the Republic of Ireland and England, but has yet to commit his international future to either country.

Crowley represented Ireland at U-16 and U-17 level, and his native England at U-16, U-17 and U-19 levels.

Both Martin O’Neill and Roy Hodgson have made their interest known, but the Ireland U-21 manager said he won’t be drawn into another Jack Grealish situation.BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01:  Daniel Crowley of England battles with Fantacci Tommas of Italy during the International Friendly match between England U17 and Italy U17 at the Pirelli Stadium on September 1, 2013 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)“We know all about Daniel but I won’t be pursuing him,” King told The Irish Independent.

“He knows our position. Martin O’Neill had a chat with Danny’s father and it is up to them to decide. I certainly won’t be trying to convince him. You have to let players and their families choose for themselves because it is a big decision.”

Crowley, like Grealish, is from Birmingham and came through the youth system at Aston Villa before joining Arsenal in 2013.

His father is from Waterford and he played Gaelic football growing up.

This all sounds very familiar.