The GAA have just summoned a Sunday league team and, by God, this outfit could go all the way.
After we put together a side of 15 soccer players that really could’ve been a GAA All-Stars outfit if it wasn’t for that foreign sport, we decided to look at it the other way around and see how a potential Republic of Ireland team was stripped from us from those too loyal to stray from their Gaelic roots.
And we’ve put together a clinker of a side.
Shane Curran
(Roscommon)
The former Athlone Town stopper has finally hung up his GAA gloves ready to concentrate on leading Martin O’Neill’s men in France. Curran broke the hearts of Derry City fans back in the mid-nineties when he produced one of the finest performances in League of Ireland history to deny the Candy Stripes the title on the final day of the season. Now, the commanding, confident, character-filled stopper is ready to reinvigorate his push for an international call-up. At the age of 44.
Michael Shields
(Cork)
Shields forms the first of three uncompromising centre halves that would frighten the life out of Thomas Muller. The Cork man once played at schoolboys select level with Stephen Ireland but he has shown to be more loyal to his country by hanging back and fighting the good fight with the Rebel county.
Anthony Tohill
(Derry)
The former Derry City centre half was on trial with Manchester United at a stage. Decided that he’d be a legend among Gaels instead.
Graham Geraghty
(Meath)
A former Bohs and Drogheda man, Geraghty could’ve made it at Arsenal if it wasn’t for the lure of Páirc Tailteann but he has since retired the Meath jersey. We reckon he’s ready to give it one last lash with the ground ball.
Paul Mannion
(Dublin)
At a glance, it looks like we’re boasting a 5-3-2 here but that couldn’t be further from the truth when you have men like Paul Mannion and Frank McGlynn working the flanks. The former Home Farm player was a real prospect at underage soccer level and was touted to make it across the water before he opted to pledge allegiance to the sky blue of the capital.
Frank McGlynn
(Donegal)
Drumkeen United, Donegal Schoolboys, Everton. McGlynn joined the Toffees for a Milk Cup campaign as a nippy striker. He was on the same squad as Wayne Rooney but, given how his career has developed, it would be a crying shame not to use his lung-bursting runs up and down the pitch.
Ryan McCluskey
(Fermanagh)
CIS Cup and Irish League winner with Portadown, McCluskey has tasted European football and is one who managed to balance playing soccer and GAA for a long time. Sits at the heart of our midfield to control proceedings.
Owen Mulligan
(Tyrone)
Another past Milk Cup player, Mulligan is our eccentric attacking midfielder. He’s not going to listen to you, he’s not going to stick to a rigid system and he sure as hell won’t be following no game plan, he just goes out there and plays football. Martin O’Neill might not fancy him for group games against the Germans but he will tear Gibraltar a new one.
Ciaran Lyng
(Wexford)
Serious experience having been capped at underage level before joining Preston North End and Shrewsbury Town, he is the go-to guy when the chips are down. Looks to hit double figures every season for both assists and goals and he does that from midfield.
Jason Sherlock
(Dublin)
A fan favourite, Sherlock’s name is heard ringing from the terraces non-stop. Once a nippy goal-getter, the old UCD and Shamrock Rovers striker has adapted his game and brings a whole new footballing dimension to the table. Can pull back and pick measured passes and brings more team mates into the fray. Alongside Eoin Bradley, the burden of scoring no longer rests on Sherlock’s shoulders alone and he thrives off his new freedom.
Eoin Bradley
(Derry)
This man will skin you alive – pun fully intended. Bradley’s meteoric rise has put him all over Martin O’Neill’s radar, we assume. The Oak Leafer decided to play a bit of soccer one off-season, got picked up by Coleraine. Rattled them in for them and got signed by Glenavon. If we need to go long, he is strong and bullish enough to hold the ball up and he is certainly direct and pacy enough to get in behind as well. Assumes left-footed responsibilities and loves the pressure of grabbing us goals. No longer in the Derry squad, is it too late for him to make the plane to France?
