With the Ireland squad named for the upcoming UEFA Nations League game against Bulgaria and Finland, attentions can now turn to our opposition.
Ireland have some recent with Bulgaria, having defeated them 3-0 in a friendly in Dublin last year. That result is unlikely to give us much insight into the fixture on September 3rd, with both sides having played largely second string sides at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland's game against Finland three days later will be the first meeting between those two nations since 2002, when goals from Robbie Keane, Graham Barrett, and Colin Healy gave Brian Kerr's side a 3-0 friendly win in Helsinki.
Finland's fortunes have improved since then, with the nation's success Euro 2020 campaign ensuring they will play at a first ever major finals next summer.
They named their squad for the games against Wales and Ireland this afternoon and it features a couple of familiar names. Norwich City's Teemu Pukki has been included, as has Rangers' Glen Kamara.
𝐇𝐮𝐮𝐡𝐤𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐤𝐤𝐮𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐤𝐢! 🦉
Päävalmentaja Markku Kanerva on nimennyt joukkueensa syyskuun UEFA Nations League -otteluihin Walesia (3.9.) ja Irlantia (6.9.) vastaan.
Syyskuussa kannustetaan Huuhkajia kotona!#Huuhkajat #FINWAL #IRLFIN #UNLfi pic.twitter.com/bJujkwqPyf— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) August 27, 2020
However, the most eye-catching name on that list for Ireland fans could come in the form of Daniel O'Shaughnessy.
O'Shaughnessy is a 25-year old defender who currently plays for Finnish side HJK, and as you have probably guessed, he has very strong Irish roots. His father Robert is a native of Galway.
The player has represented Finland at every level since U15s, earning three senior caps. Despite this, he is still eligible for Ireland having yet to make an appearance in a competitive fixture. That would change were he to feature in either of the games next month.
He has been offered the chance to play for Ireland at underage level in the past, but told the Irish Independent last year that he has long been fully committed to Finland.
Of course, it (declaring for Ireland) was always an option. I’ve lived my life in Finland. I was born here.
I played my first game when I was 14 for Finland Under-15s and then it was just natural for me to go to Finland.
The defender has spent most of his club career overseas, spending time at the likes of Metz, Brentford, Midtjylland, and Cheltenham Town.
We're sure he'd love to do the business against his father's home nations on September 6th should he be given the chance.
