Egan gone from 'wilderness' to boosting his Ireland hopes

Hull City's promotion into the Premier League could see John Egan go from "the wilderness of international football, to possibly wearing an Ireland jersey" according to Keith Treacy.

The Tigers had a dream start to the season with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on the opening weekend, helped by a monstrous display of defending by Egan.

The Cork man was instrumental to Hull’s clean sheet with 18 clearances as United piled on pressure.

"I thought he was man of the match," Treacy said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"He was absolutely superb. I know his centre-back partner got a goal, but he had a head like a magnet.

"I read that United put nearly 40 crosses in from open play which is a staggering amount, and John got his head on most.

"John Egan was around 32, he just left Sheffield United and was looking for a club. He got a one-year deal and you are thinking 'where is he going to go from here?’

"It would have been very easy for John to say ‘you know what, financially I am OK, I’ll knock this on the head’.

"To be 33 and starting in the Premier League against Manchester United is a hell of a feat from where he was."

Egan has 38 caps to his name, but before his last appearance for Ireland against North Macedonia in March, he spent two and a half years on the fringes, either on the bench, not in the squad or with injuries.

Treacy explained that although there will be bigger games to come for Hull over a long season, it could be a big opportunity for Egan to get back into the Ireland team.

"I know we are not quite at this stage yet, but Jake O’Brien didn’t start for Everton on the weekend. John Egan started for Hull. That could be a little swap straight away.

"John has gone from the wilderness in terms of international football, to possibly having an Ireland jersey.

"It is all about his mindset because, like I said, he was at a crossroads where he could have easily thought ‘I have had enough’.

"But he doubled down. Fair play to John. He deserves a big, big pat on the back."

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