Arena with Maurice Brosnan: FAI’s Ceadach O’Neill approach and why Ireland’s underage games are played abroad

On this week’s episode of Arena, the Irish Examiner’s weekly sports podcast, Maurice Brosnan is joined by the Examiner’s football correspondent John Fallon.

The lads discuss the news that Ceadach O’Neill, who has attracted interest from the FAI, has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League games.

They also look at Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill’s criticism of the FAI’s approach during his two spells in charge. While acknowledging the FAI’s right to approach eligible players, O’Neill has taken issue with the age at which some players are being targeted.

What exactly happened with Liverpool’s Conor Bradley previously? Has that signalled a change of approach?

Elsewhere, they discuss the news that all but two of Ireland’s 75 underage internationals in 2026 will be played outside the country.

To get in touch with Maurice, email Maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie.

You can read John’s column here: John Fallon: The grim reality of the lack of Irish underage games on home soil

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