JACK TAYLOR IS targetting his first senior cap in Ireland’s Uefa Nations League double-header against Finland and Greece.
The Ipswich Town player is back in the squad for the first time since June 2023 after an impressive start to the Premier League season.
“It means everything,” Taylor says. “Obviously I haven’t been part of the set-up for a while now so I’m obviously delighted to be recognised and to be called up.
“I’ve been a bit gutted when I haven’t been called up and questioned why I wasn’t given the opportunity but these things happen in football. It’s just one of those things you have to get on with.
“I’m 26 now. I was praying it would come a little bit earlier but I’m just delighted to be here now. When that moment does come then it will be that bit more special for the whole family.”
The English-born midfielder says he wasn’t overly surprised by the call-up, given Heimir Hallgrímsson was at Ipswich’s recent draw with Aston Villa and he knew he would “impress” the new Ireland manger off the bench.
He’ll hope he has done enough to make his debut in Helsinki on Thursday, or in Athens on Sunday. “Definitely that’s the aim. Just to get on the pitch and try bring something different to the team.
“We need at least a win I think in this camp, so hopefully a good performance and definitely a good result would be very positive.”
Hallgrímsson hadn’t spoken to Taylor about the role he will play across the double-header earlier in the week, but the Icelander did detail some of his strengths.
“He just said that I can bring a different aspect in the middle of the pitch, whether that’s going forward, progressing with the ball… he likes my attacking side but obviously defensively as well you need to bring every aspect of your game to the team.
“He’s not specifically told me I’m here for this or here for that, just embed myself in the team and become a part of the squad.”
Taylor is one of four Ipswich players included for this window: Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Dara O’Shea are also in the set-up, prompting talk of the Irish taking over at the Tractor Boys.
“It’s good to have them on board. The success we have had the last couple of seasons has been not short of a miracle really. We are trying to prove we are in the Premier League for a reason and I think we have started off really well.
“It’s obviously a step up, we knew it was going to be with the quality of players you are coming up against week in, week out. Obviously there are no easy games at all so I found the step up really well and I’m trying to do as best I can to get that first start. I have had a couple of cameo performances, hopefully I’ll get that start soon.”
Irish-eligible Liam Delap — son of Rory — has also been in stunning form for Ipswich. On the possibility of him declaring for Ireland, Taylor added:
“To be honest I’ve not really spoke to him about it. He’s a great lad. I think he’s committed to play for England at the minute, unless he decides to change then I think we’d be happy enough to get him on board.”
Taylor qualifies for the Boys In Green through his late grandfather, Jimmy Skelly, from Longford.
“When I come over, I visit Dublin, I don’t really go over there,” the former Ireland U21 international admits. “I hear it’s in the country somewhere. I’ve been there when I was little. I can’t really remember it that much but I don’t think there’s a lot to do there.
“My mum has always been really proud to be Irish and my grandad, when he was here still, was the most Irish man ever. He was really proud and he would be very proud now looking down.”
- With reporting from David Sneyd
The UFC might aswell not have rankings and contenders anymore.
@Ciarán: Woodley faught Maia, Wonderboy*2 and Lawler in his last 4 fights: each the highest rank possible at the time… If anyone should be allowed a money fight its him. Besides, in diaz’s last 2 fights, he beat a champion and then lost to the same guy on a narrow decision. So compared to other welterweights he isnt an absurd choice… Its nothing like Bisping: making his 1st defence against someone not even in the top 10 and his 2nd defence against someone who hadnt faught in 4 years.
Coincidence that McGregor and Diaz will both have titles before their rematch? Not that I’m complaining, would be hard not to get excited about the build up to that.
@Johnny: what title will Diaz have? No chance will he beat Woodley
@Connery83: 100% agree, Diaz is the perfect style for Woodley to fight. Plus hed have no excuse to be cautious in this one.
@Connery83: Woodley barely beat Maia even the the entire fight was fought on the feat. Diaz is more than a match for him on the feet and if it goes to the ground Diaz is more than comfortable fighting on top or from his back. Diaz will beat him.
@Johnny: Maia is possibly the best at bjj in the entire ufc. Woodley was being cautious to avoid his submissions, but was comfortably better on the feet. Fans were angry that he didnt try to finish him. He also beat Wonderboy who is one of the best strikers
@Johnny: Woodley will punch a hole through his face. I actually fear for Nate in this fight, as he is so durable. Mate defends with his face and against the hardest hitter at 170 that’s a recipe for disaster
That’s preposterous! What has he done to deserve a shot
@Patrick Dara Kelly: Been the only person since 2010 to beat McGregor, a 2 weight champion, in mma.
@Rudiger McMonihan: fair achievement but why has that put him in line for a title shot, he’s 3-3 at 170.
He smokes a hell a lot of weed, with Conor the King of Coke and the majority of the roster on some kind drugs he’s perfect.
@Malachy Rivers: The main difference between them and athletes in other sports is the testing. Has a football player ever been caught using PEDs?
Great fight Woodley has me blocked on twitter so I hope he gets a beating:)