Teenage striker who starred and scored for Wales last month left out of Northern Ireland squad
Glentoran’s George Feeney has been dropped from Irish FA panel for Under-16 tournament
Glentoran striker George Feeney has been left out of the Northern Ireland under-16 squad
Teenage Glentoran striker George Feeney, at the centre of an international tug-of-war between Northern Ireland and Wales, has been omitted from an Irish FA Under-16 squad for an upcoming tournament in Estonia having originally been included in the panel.
Feeney, 16, was due to travel to Tallinn with the Northern Ireland Under-16 development team to play in a UEFA development tournament next week against Ukraine, Luxembourg and Estonia but having represented Wales in a different competition last month, a decision has been made by the IFA not to take him after all.
The Belfast Telegraph understands the IFA still want Feeney, son of former Northern Ireland striker Warren, to remain in their system and are confident that he will, but where this leaves the youngster’s international future remains to be seen.
It is believed the IFA feel this period will give George time to reflect on his plans down the line and hope he will commit to them having come through their Academy.
The highly rated teen has previously played for Northern Ireland’s Under-16 and Under-17 sides, as well as the Glentoran first team, with some in the game suggesting he has the potential to go on and play for the senior international side creating history in the process by becoming the fourth generation in the Feeney family to do so.
Last month after Feeney wasn’t selected in Northern Ireland’s Under-17 squad for the Euro 2024 Elite round qualifiers, the Welsh FA called him up to play for them. He qualifies as he was born in Wales.
The Ashfield Boys student accepted the invitation to play in a friendly tournament in France and scored against Japan and Saudi Arabia and was so impressive on and off the pitch that the Welsh coaches made him captain for a match with Mexico.
The Welsh FA felt that Feeney enjoyed the experience and would be keen to see him play for the young Dragons again.
The thing is with the striker already capped for Northern Ireland at Under-17 level, Wales would need to look at putting through an international transfer to make it official.
The IFA see Feeney as one of their own and a player they have invested in but Wales want him too so in time the kid and his family will have a decision on their hands.
It would not be a surprise if there are discussions with George and his family involving both nations in the coming weeks with the IFA likely to be represented by their Head of Elite Player Development Andy Waterworth.
The youngster has played a number of times for the Glens making his debut in September last year and scoring his first goal in a BetMcLean Cup win over Dollingstown at The Oval in October.
George’s father Warren, formerly manager of Glentoran, won 46 caps for Northern Ireland as a forward scoring five goals.
The teenager’s grandad Warren senior played once for Northern Ireland in 1976 when he was with Glentoran. His great grandad Jimmy featured twice for Ireland before the IFA/FAI split.
Meanwhile the Northern Ireland Under-16 development team, managed by Kris Lindsay, will face Ukraine on April 23 and Luxembourg two days later before taking on the hosts Estonia on April 28.
The 20-strong U16 development squad features
Goalkeepers – Finn McDonnell (Bohemians), Zak Robinson (Larne)
Defenders – Darragh McCann and Jayden Charnley (both Glentoran), Leon Barr and Cohen Beattie (both Crusaders), Noah McDonnell (Larne), Oisin Gamble (Cliftonville)
Midfielders – Callum Downey and Glenn McCourt (both Derry City), Christian Coyle (Bohemians), Jack Faloona (Glentoran), Matthew Burns (Coleraine), Harry Allen (Linfield)
Forwards – Kalum Thompson and Scott Hamilton (both Linfield), Chris Atherton (Glenavon), Brandon Downey (Crusaders), Sid Eldred (Ipswich Town), Shay Reid (Cliftonville)
