Irish Connection

Paul Madden of True Faith and the Irish Mags writes in the Irish Examiner about Newcastle United’s search for talent on the Emerald Isle and deep links between Ireland and Tyneside.

How a new wave of Irish are flying the flag at 'the richest club in the world'

After early-day dreams of Mbappé and Neymar, the Saudi-led transformation hits Year 4 with a new strategy: recruiting young Irish talent

This piece appeared in the Irish Examiner newspaper on Saturday 15/Mar/25 - you can visit the original article here - https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41593948.html

The Tyneside Irish Centre, heaving with the kind of charm and energy you’d expect in this part of the world, has had quite the week. One of the closest bars to Newcastle United Football Club, its St. Patrick’s week celebrations will crash right into a League Cup Final this weekend. It might just be a sign of things to come - the good times look to be rolling again for the Irish on Tyneside.

Just 100 metres across the road, the Magpies are into Year 4 of their Saudi-led transformation into the richest football club in the world. But despite those breathless initial dreams of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar in a Black & White kit, the realities of financial fair play have kept things somewhat in check for Toon fans. The club’s new ownership have instead had to navigate the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Newcastle United have been building more steadily and strategically under manager Eddie Howe, and for those across the road (and across the Sea), one strategy hasn’t gone unnoticed: the ostensibly wealthiest team in the game are investing in Irish.

Since 2022, five Irish teenagers have been recruited to the club’s youth academy, with the January transfer window seeing Galway United’s Kyle Fitzgerald become the latest addition to join compatriots Alex Murphy, Cathal Heffernan, Reece Byrne and Rory Finneran.

For former Irish Magpies, club observers and those who have helped develop these Irish talents, an unlikely trend is one they are very much on board with.

“Geordies are the closest thing to the Irish you’ll find in England,” former United favourite and Ireland international John Anderson, who still resides in Newcastle, told the Irish Examiner. “They’ll have no problem settling in, particularly once the football starts and they are playing games regularly.”

Settled they have. After arriving from Galway United in June 2022, Murphy immediately impressed and was fast-tracked to the first team in 2023, making his Premier League debut and regularly featuring in Howe’s matchday squad. Cathal Heffernan (son of former World Champion race walker Rob) joined from Italian giants AC Milan in July 2023, having originally moved to Serie A from Cork City a year earlier in a move spearheaded by then Technical Director Paolo Maldini.

The defender caught the eyes of multiple European clubs, but the opportunity to move closer to home was too good to turn down. He has since become captain of the U21 side, who are coached by Kerry native Diarmuid O’Carroll.

That same summer, Bohemians goalkeeper Byrne also joined, having come through the academy via St. Josephs AFC in Sallynoggin. After making his Dalymount Park debut at just 17 and impressing at youth level for Ireland, Newcastle made their move.

A year later they added their fourth Irish talent when highly-rated midfielder Rory Finneran arrived from Blackburn Rovers. Born in Manchester but capped for Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 level via his Sligo grandparents, Finneran was promoted from the Magpies’ U18 squad to become a regular in the U21 side in just a few months.

While Irish first-team regulars have been rare in very recent times, this new brigade are following a relatively well-worn path.

“We’ve had some amazing Irish players over the years - Bill McCracken, Willie McFaul, John Anderson, Shay Given,” says Mick Martin, founder of the True Faith Newcastle United fanzine and podcast channel. “I'm delighted it’s happening because there's such a strong affiliation with Ireland and Newcastle. They'll come over and get an opportunity with a strong Premier League club in an area which I think suits a lot of Irish lads, the North East is quite similar to Ireland so you never hear of trouble about Irish lads settling.”

Gary Traynor is a Galway United youth coach and was part of a team that brought both Murphy and Fitzgerald into the academy setup. He wasn’t at all surprised that Murphy’s performances caught the attention of Newcastle when he signed in June 2022.

“The one thing that stood out were his physical attributes, I don’t just mean size and stature - he was fit, could get up and down the pitch, left-footed, very comfortable on the ball, stepping up into midfield, carrying the ball - very confident player.”

Last summer, they knocked on Galway’s door again, this time for the signature of talented winger Fitzgerald who officially completed a move to Tyneside on his 18th birthday in January 2025.

A graduate of the well-known Mervue United youth academy (who also produced the likes of Aaron Connolly, Greg Cunningham and Ryan Manning to name a few), Fitzgerald has represented Ireland youth teams from U15 through to U17 level. Traynor knows what caught their interest.

“I remember looking at Kyle maybe 10 years of age on the ball thinking this kid is probably one of the last street players that we'll see..he could almost beat a team on his own which is very rare these days,” he added. “He’ll absolutely fit into the Newcastle DNA because of the DNA he would have gotten at Mervue Utd - it's all part of your make-up there, it’s a non-negotiable to work hard. He is creative and stylish with good numbers and percentages, but I think Newcastle could see he has a willingness to learn and a winning mentality.”

Succeeding on Tyneside isn’t a given. While the club have been on the rise in terms of form and cup finals through a mix of big-name signings and local talent, it is becoming harder than ever for young players to make the jump to senior level. Howe has shown a willingness to trust in youth though - Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley becoming first-team contributors in recent times.

Anderson knows exactly what it takes to establish yourself on Tyneside.

With over 300 appearances for the club between from 1982 to 1992 as well as 16 caps for Ireland, he is one of only a handful of players to have received a testimonial from the club for his services.

“It’s all about hard work, listening to what coaches say, what senior pros advise – but also it’s about taking your chances when they come, seizing your opportunities and grasping with both hands because they don’t come along often. We saw last season when the senior team had injuries, 17-year-old Lewis Miley took his chance and a year later he’s a first-team player.”

Without a major trophy since 1969, Newcastle would have counted as a romantic option for the neutrals on Sunday.

That era likely passed when the Saudi regime took over. Football, in a wider sense, has become synonymous with billionaire ownerships and world-record transfer deals, a sense of greed and excess taking hold.

But at a time when financial fair play and restricted spending ability have become commonplace, clubs are also striving harder than ever to gain a competitive edge through smart recruitment. That’s what makes this Irish drive appealing to Martin.

“It's great that there is a focus on developing young players, because for such a long time they failed to get the correct rating for the academy which damaged them in terms of attracting and producing young players,” he added. “They’ll be good lads, Newcastle do their homework on character and personality, so my hope is that they follow that profile, learn about being a professional and hopefully when they start hitting 19/20 years old you want them knocking on the door of the first-team squad.”

The Newcastle United Women’s team also boast Northern Irish international Rachel Furness along with recently signed Irish international Emily Murphy. The new greening of Tyneside continues apace.

Eddie Howe’s side are just 90 minutes away from a potential first major trophy for over half a century as they gear up to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final, and while the five young recruits are unlikely to feature, St Patrick’s Weekend may see some additional parade planning.

As well as a regular on the True Faith podcasts Paul is a key contributor to the Irish Mags Podcast which you can find on their site with a load of other information - HOME | TheIrishMags.com