after O'Neill named in N Ireland squad

Ceadach O'Neill, who has attracted interest from the FAI, has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League games.

Derryman O'Neill, 18, has already won two caps for the North, featuring in the summer friendlies against Guinea and France. Boss Michael O'Neill is keen to nail down the Arsenal starlet, who is currently injured, with games to come against Georgia (twice), Hungary and Ukraine this international window.

An appearance for O'Neill in two of those games will deem him ineligible to declare for the Republic of Ireland.

Players can switch national teams once to another country for which they hold eligibility, provided they played no more than three matches for their initial national side, and all before turning 21.

The teenager was called into the Gunners senior squad for their pre-season friendlies and got game time against Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium. Deployed mainly as a number 10, the FAI have had their eye on the youngster for over a year, an indication of their intent to pursue emerging talent with dual eligibility.

And while the likes of James McClean and Shane Duffy ultimately opted to join up with the Republic, the failure to lure Liverpool's Conor Bradley south has been a source of some regret in Abbotstown.

Like Bradley, O'Neill comes from a GAA background, with his uncles Eoin and Paddy having played inter-county football for Derry.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson will name his squad for the Nations League assignments against Kosovo, Israel and Austria on Thursday.

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