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Kane pictured at St George's Park ahead of England's Euro qualifiers. Martin Rickett

Harry Kane: 'My nana and grandad were Irish, so I had that decision. It never really came'

The Tottenham star said he always wanted to play for England despite his Galway roots.

HARRY KANE’S GALWAY roots are well documented in this country, but the Tottenham star insists it was always his desire to represent England on the international stage.

The Three Lions skipper was asked his view on Declan Rice’s decision to switch international allegiance ahead of their side’s qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro, with Kane reflecting on his own Irish ancestry and the decision he faced in the early stages of his career.

“My nana and grandad were Irish on my dad’s side, so I had that decision,” he said.

“It never really came about as when I started playing in the Premier League, the England call-up didn’t come too long after.

“But for me I always wanted to play for England. That was my dream.” 

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - London Stadium Kane has welcomed Declan Rice into the England squad ahead of this week's Euro 2020 qualifiers. Victoria Jones Victoria Jones

The 25-year-old has close relatives in the Letterfrack and Renvyle — Kane’s grandfather Michael John Kane was born in Letterfrack before later emigrating to England.

The forward said Rice’s choice was a tough decision to make, but welcomed the promising West Ham midfielder into the international set-up as England look to build on last summer’s impressive run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia.

“I’m sure it was a tough one for him,” Kane said, “He’s enjoying the season he has been having so far.

“He took the time with his family and close friends and the decision he made is one he thinks will best for his future and no-one can blame him for that.

“I can tell just by being with him for a couple of days he will give everything for his country.”

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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:34 AM

    What are ya’s on about who’s paying who ? It’s no advertorial ! Am I the only one surprised and delighted them girls are getting a kit deal worth €60,000 ? I remember in my own county the great Wexford camogie team of the time having to scrimp and save to get a bloody holiday, even though they won an All Ireland, went so far that they done bag packing in Dunnes FFS ! Imagine the men doing that !!! Ladies sport, OK, it’s debatable that it’s not as entertaining as the men’s game but they don’t deserve to be treated as second class citizens ! Fair play girls, f@€( the begrudgers.

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    May 10th 2016, 10:38 AM

    Is a yas anything like a yak?

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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:43 AM

    Stay off the internet when you’re drunk like a good lad.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    May 10th 2016, 10:52 AM

    Kieran.. Maybe you should sponsor the Wexford team if you feel so strongly about it..

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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:54 AM

    Maybe I did Marc.

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    May 10th 2016, 9:15 AM

    I reckon this piece should be marked as an advertorial for McKeever Sports/thegaastore.com

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    May 10th 2016, 11:38 AM

    Fair play to them. Sporting legends and really need to be recognised so…

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    Mute paddy
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    May 10th 2016, 12:37 PM

    Yeah Arthur absolute legends known throughout the country

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    May 10th 2016, 7:03 AM

    Is that the old style crest? How come the men aren’t allowed use that?

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    Mute Donncha Ó Ríordáin
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    May 10th 2016, 11:41 AM

    can’t vouch for the ladies team continues with the old crest but I’m fairly sure the men’s team brought out the new crest which was in turn copyrighted by the county board. whatever way you look at it there was money involved.

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    Mute Paul Collins
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    May 10th 2016, 12:00 PM

    The crest used here is the coat of arms of Cork City. The Cork GAA teams (i.e. the mens) came up with a new crest a few years back. I assume that because the Ladies Gaelic Football Association is (bizarrely) not a part of the GAA they can’t use it…

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    May 10th 2016, 4:14 PM

    Ya Donncha, I know in Tipp and other counties it was a trademark issue and county boards came up with their own makey upey ones and I’d imagine it was money related indeed. Which begs the question are county boards now run like companies just like pro clubs?

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    May 10th 2016, 7:27 AM

    Is it just me or does the adidas gear look crap when you know it’s sort of fake

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    Mute Lad
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    May 10th 2016, 12:35 PM

    Fake?

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    May 10th 2016, 3:18 PM

    @lad I’m pretty sure no one working for adidas apart from the factory workers in Pakistan know about the gear still a great deal though

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    Mute Coco Beware
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    May 10th 2016, 12:25 PM

    Bet Anna Geary will be looking savage in it oh & Aisling Thompson too, sexy ladies

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    Mute Veronica
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    May 10th 2016, 5:22 PM

    @coco expect Ann Geary has retired from inter county playing now..

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    May 10th 2016, 7:46 AM

    Free kit for the next three years…..a saving for the cork county board. If its a print (white on the inside) its shit just like the o’neills ones

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    Mute john
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    May 10th 2016, 9:11 AM

    Yeah the county jerseys are the same price as soccer ones but the county jerseys are poorer quality

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    May 10th 2016, 9:33 AM

    Who is paying who for this article

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    Mute Veronica
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    May 10th 2016, 5:24 PM

    About time the girls got something, they always play better & win more then the guys do.. Cork GAA hasn’t won hurling since 2005 & Football since 2010, shame on them…

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    Mute paddy
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    May 10th 2016, 12:35 PM

    Sixty grand wow it must be a really popular game

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    Mute Kieran Fitzgerald
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    May 10th 2016, 6:13 PM

    Jesus that’s ugly.

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