Ireland's new manager, Hemir Hallgrimsson, has announced that he will be looking to use the "granny rule" to attract future players for the Irish national team.
The Irish team will play their first fixture under the new boss when England comes to Dublin next month. Familiar faces will be called up for the Nations League doubleheader against England and Finland.
However, the Icelandic native is keen to bring fresh faces into the squad—players who don’t represent the country yet but can through a grandparent, like Sammie Szmodics.
Ireland’s most successful period came under former manager Jack Charlton in the late 80s and early 90s. Charlton was keen to seek out players in England who had Irish heritage and used what became known as the "granny rule." Some of these players included John Aldridge, Tony Cascarino, Chris Hughes, and others.
Hallgrimsson used this same rule when he was the manager of Jamaica and recently told fans at a forum that he would be looking to do the same for Ireland going forward.
Sammie Szmodics of Republic of Ireland at the end of the International Friendly match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Municipal de Aveiro on June 11, 2024, in Aveiro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) )"I was really aggressive in getting players to play for Jamaica. I spent a lot of time doing that, and I could see myself doing that in the future," said the Ireland boss this month.
"I think time will be needed, though. I don’t want to call a player and say, ‘Come and play for Ireland’ if he’s not good enough to be in the squad."
He also mentioned that someone is being hired as the head of talent ID for the federation; this would be that person's responsibility.
Hallgrimsson also believes there is a pool of talent out there that will have a second chance to play international football—players who just weren’t good enough to represent other nations. He added that England won't be the only place the Irish recruitment team will look, given Ireland’s rich heritage around the world.
"It is like Jamaica; it is necessary to find these players at a younger age and start to play them for Ireland. Because once they become good, there is always the thought, ‘I have a chance to play for England,’" added the Icelander.
"The same in Jamaica; we got them when they were 26 or 27, when they felt they could not play for England.
"I think that there should be really aggressive scouting in the youth departments in England because probably most Irish-eligible players are in England. I know there are a lot elsewhere as well with Irish heritage."
Republic of Ireland Squad: England & Greec
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).
Attackers: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
07/09: Ireland vs. England, Aviva Stadium, 5pm
10/09: Ireland vs. Greece, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
