'The future is his now' - Newcastle United starlet makes shock international debut and earns major praise
A Newcastle United Under-21s star made his senior international debut for Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
Newcastle United’s latest senior international is yet to make his first-team debut for the Magpies.
There was some surprise when Under-21s star Rory Finneran was handed a maiden call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad last week ahead of a training camp and friendly with Grenada after several players withdrew with injuries. Finneran has been a consistent presence in the United second string throughout the season and has impressed under former manager Adam Lawrence and current boss Robbie Stockdale.
Finneran is yet to appear in a Magpies first-team matchday squad but has trained alongside Eddie Howe’s first-team ranks over the course of the season and is expected to be handed an opportunity to shine during pre-season. He will return to Tyneside later in the summer as an international footballer after he came off the bench to replace West Bromwich Albion’s Jayson Molumby during the final 15 minutes of Ireland’s 5-0 win against Grenada on Saturday.
Speaking on Friday after the Magpies youngster trained with his new international team-mates for the first time, Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson said: "What we have felt is really positive and the players have done themselves proud. The game is tomorrow and we'll get more answers then. We'll see if he's (Finneran) ready or not but based on training he's a really impressive young player. The future is his now, so he needs to nurture his young talent."
Finneran had already spoken of his pride over his surprise call into the senior squad last week and revealed he had been keen to show he can impress at a higher level.
He told FAI media: “That’s the goal for this week. I think it’s up to me in training, doing what I can to impress and show that I can play at that level. So I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully get some minutes. It’s a massively proud moment. Obviously, I didn’t really expect it, my late call-up, but a massive achievement for me and I am looking forward to the week. I knew a few players but it’s good to get around the lads to play in first team, professional, high level. It’s good to get around it and see what they do day-to-day. I’ve been really enjoying it, got on with all the lads.”
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