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England's Jack Grealish. PA

Jack Grealish 'never looked back' after choosing England over Ireland

The Birmingham-born 25-year-old was capped six times at under-21 level for the Republic.

LAST UPDATE | 9 Jun 2021

ENGLAND FORWARD JACK Grealish insists he has “never looked back” after deciding to change his international allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

The Birmingham-born 25-year-old had been capped six times at under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland before opting to represent the Three Lions in 2015.

The decision caused a backlash against Grealish from the nation he had left behind and the wisdom of the call could have been questioned given he had to wait five years to make his senior England debut.

The Aston Villa captain was eventually called up by Gareth Southgate for the Nations League double-header against Iceland and Denmark last September.

He would make his bow against the latter and has since gone on to win seven caps and be selected in Southgate’s squad for the European Championship.

Asked if he felt turning down a senior Republic of Ireland call-up now felt worthwhile, Grealish replied: “As I got older, I started playing obviously at Villa, in the first-team, I broke through.

“And there was a time when I thought: ‘obviously I am English, my parents were born in England, I was obviously born in England, so I feel English’.

“So yes, I obviously changed to England and since then I never looked back. I’ve enjoyed every moment that I’ve had here. And I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t.”

jack-grealish-celebrates-scoring Grealish played six times for Ireland at U21 level. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Grealish also recounted a story of how and why he had initially chosen to play for the Republic of Ireland – having qualified through his grandparents.

“When I was young, I got asked to play for England and Ireland at a tournament,” he said.

“I got asked to play for both, I went away to play for England, I was in my room and I collapsed, the day before we were meant to be training and I got sent home.

“I was just in the bathroom and I woke up on the floor. I don’t actually know what happened, I don’t know if it was nerves or whatever, I’m not actually too sure, but the next day I was obviously fine, ready to go and train, but obviously for medical reasons I couldn’t.

“Then during that time I went to Ireland to trial there and I played and I just loved it. That’s one thing that I’ve always said, when you’re younger you just do what makes you happy. And I loved every moment that I had there. I was just a young kid enjoying my football.”

Grealish, who started both Euro 2020 warm-up wins last week, is one of 11 players in Southgate’s 26-man squad with less than 10 caps.

But he believes the mixture of young talent and those who experienced the heartache of being knocked out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage could be a perfect mix.

“I think it could definitely help, because I think we still have the experience there,” he said of the youthful nature of the squad.

“There’s so much experience in the side at the moment that was in Russia in 2018. (John) Stones, Harry Maguire, Hendo (Jordan Henderson), Harry (Kane) up top, Raheem (Sterling).

“So you still have all that experience. Then you have a blend of youngsters coming through with Jude Bellingham, Bukayo (Saka).

“I think we have a young squad actually, I think I read someone say that we’re one of the youngest in the tournament if not the youngest and I think that can help us. We have a bit of both so fingers crossed it does.”

Croatia were the side to end England’s hopes three years ago and they will be the opposition for the opening game of Group D at Wembley on Sunday – a game which could see Grealish keep his place in Southgate’s side.

“I don’t really think it is a question of doing enough,” he replied when asked if his eye-catching performances in the warm-up games will see him play against Croatia.

“You only really have to look at the players in my position, most of them have just come back from playing in the Champions League and Europa League final, whereas I’ve been injured for a while.

“The competition is there, but I think it is nice competition to have. I don’t think it is a matter of have I done enough to start, I’ll be ready when called upon.” 

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    Mute Peter Nagle
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 11:15 AM

    It’s a disgrace that the FAI do not have him onboard as part of their youth development. Clearly he’s not involved as Delaney is no doubt threatened by him. When Noel King’s tenure ends as U21 coach, this man should get the job. If the FAI and Roy Keane can work together again then they should do the same with Brian Kerr.

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    Mute Sean O'Shea
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 11:24 AM

    @Peter Nagle: How Noel King is still employed by the FAI is the biggest mystery of all! Must have something on Delaney or something

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    Mute Nucky
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 1:49 PM

    @Sean O’Shea: he a yes man plain and simple

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    Mute Sean O'Shea
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 2:53 PM

    @Nucky: I will have to agree with you on that one Nucky. Imagine going through life as a Yes Man. – No Way Jose! (Quoted from that priest talking about boilers in father Ted) -His name eludes me…..Anyone?

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 3:32 PM

    @Sean O’Shea: What’s your favourite humming noise?

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    Mute Sean O'Shea
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:31 PM

    @An_Beal_Bocht: haha, class… can you name the priest though ? :)

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    Mute Sean Flaherty
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    Jun 24th 2017, 1:23 AM

    @Peter Nagle: Any dissenting voices in the FAI have long since been rooted out.

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    Mute China Photo Daily
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 11:44 AM

    We need a stronger League of Ireland, England aren’t going to develop our players for us anymore. It should be seen as a golden opportunity for growth rather than a problem child.

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    Mute Jah
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 1:02 PM

    @China Photo Daily: too much competition for spectators among other sports on our small island

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 2:53 PM

    @Jah: Judging from the Irish support for Celtic, Liverpool and Man Utd I wouldn’t agree. The sport is huge in working class urban areas where neither GAA nor Rugby is particularly prominent. There’s a large market here for soccer that has for a long time been exploited instead by the British leagues instead of our own, it’s madness the FAI has never been able to make any headway with it.

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    Mute billy Dorney
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 7:06 PM

    @Jah: yes

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    Mute austin flevin
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 12:20 PM

    He is grumpy but he has a wealth of knowledge. He should be involved.

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    Mute Patrick Kavanagh
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 1:10 PM

    @austin flevin: He is not grumpy..if anything he is a quite cheerful and optimistic fellow.

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 2:31 PM

    Makes some fair points but as I recall while manager he regularly deployed centre half Gary Doherty as a striker and human long ball magnet….

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 3:41 PM

    @Johnny 5: Regularly? Bit harsh. Seem to remember them playing France off the pitch in Paris in a world cup qualifier tho

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    Mute prop joe
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    Jun 24th 2017, 6:47 AM

    @An_Beal_Bocht: a nil nil classic. Playing them off the park? Rose tinted glasses there. Kerrs teams where brutal to watch.

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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 1:26 PM

    I like Brian Kerr but listening to him speak os like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard.I remember he was doing Champions League coverage on Tv3 this year and he said of some defender clearing the ball ‘he got his noggin to it’!Your not down the pub now Brian.Keep it smart on tv.And can Louis Copeland not tailor a suit that fits him?He’s swimming in every tin of fruit i’ve ever seen!

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    Mute Pat Ryan
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 3:36 PM

    @mark kenny: oh Christ his accent coupled with the slow suffering tempo of it is just horrific. Is there anyone that doesn’t have a Dublin accent working on rte or TV3 for match analysis?

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 3:45 PM

    @mark kenny: You disgusting snobs. One of my professors in college was originally from the liberties and had a brilliant natural accent. The broadcasting airwaves are completely dominated and polluted by non-descript “mid-Atlantic” accents. You can listen to doses like Miriam O’Callaghan et al all you want. Give me Brian anyday

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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:01 PM

    @An_Beal_Bocht:

    Shut up.I’m a Dub with a strong Dublin accent and love the Dublin accent,but Kerr’s is downright annoying.A lot of Dubs can’t stand his bleedin accent.

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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:02 PM

    @Pat Ryan:

    It’s not the Dublin accent,it’s the way he talks does me head in.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:10 PM

    @mark kenny: What’s the “Dublin” accent? There are about three different dub accents that I know of and I wouldn’t even consider the noise D4 Ross O’Carroll Kelly types make an actual accent – just an embarrassing imitation of a Californian.

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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:34 PM

    @An_Beal_Bocht:

    Your right.That southside accent is awful.Dublin accent is great.Well i would say that but Kerr has a voice i have never heard anywhere in the capital.And believe me,i’ve been around the block.He’s a great man but an awful accent.

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    Mute Paul Mc Nulty
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 6:38 PM

    @mark kenny: Come down off your pedestal pal.

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    Mute mark kenny
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 7:07 PM

    @Paul Mc Nulty:

    Lighten up fellow city slicker.Sure tis only a bit of banter.Have a good weekend pal.

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    Mute billy Dorney
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 7:08 PM

    @An_Beal_Bocht: well said,,,dome ppl must be ashamed of their wonderful regional accents ,why,?rte is scarce of local /regional accents,,, getting like the BBC

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    Mute conex
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 7:53 PM

    Hahahahahahahahahahah ……………..brilliant !!!

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    Mute Sean Flaherty
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    Jun 24th 2017, 1:45 AM

    @An_Beal_Bocht: Reminds me of the time one of the Rubberbandits was on Joe Duffy and he asked him when he was going to speak properly. There are far thicker Limerick accents.

    A fat clown Bill, a fat clown for all to see.

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    Mute Denis McCarthy
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 7:18 PM

    ” Tin of fruit”? And Brian Kerr is criticised for his accent!

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    Mute Jim Ivers
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    Jun 24th 2017, 4:53 AM

    His teams played a brutal negative style of football. it was painful to watch.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Jun 24th 2017, 6:43 AM

    @Jim Ivers: Now he’s the saviour. Sadly we don’t produce the type of player that can play technical football for 90 minutes like Barcelona. So we are better off playing long passes to the forward. RTE panel seems hang up on this myth that we used to play like the 82 Brazil team. Jack Charlton got us to the quarter final of the world cup we should focus on that style on football and not this tici tati crap.

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    Mute billy Dorney
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    Jun 23rd 2017, 4:55 PM

    Astute,calculating ,on the ball,no crap manager

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    Mute Patrick Doherty
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    Jun 24th 2017, 1:22 PM

    Richie Sadliers talent is also wasted as a pundit-the made an appearance at under age level for crying out loud!

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