Jack Grealish picked up the FAI Three U21 International Player of the Year award last night and it's fair to say there was a certain amount of scepticism surrounding the honour.
According to some, the award can be seen as some kind of ploy to get Grealish on board with Ireland in earnest, however, in reality, that is probably unfair. The u21's played six games last year, they lost four and drew two. Grealish played two of those games, as did fellow nominee Ian Lawlor.
There wasn't exactly a great selection to pick from and there's no doubt that Grealish is a talent, even if some feel that he is being overhyped. In reality, we're all hoping that this award isn't the peak of Grealish's Ireland achievements, so it was only natural that he would be asked about his future and although he hasn't been seen in a green jersey for a number of months, we are likely to see him in one again.
Speaking to FAI TV, the Aston Villa midfielder confirmed that his self imposed break from international football would extend to the end of this season but he did say that he would hope to be back in an Ireland jersey by September. However, he still hasn't worked out his long term future and it does seem more likely that we'll see him in a squad picked by Noel King again before we see him in one of Martin O'Neill's.
