On Sunday morning, speaking on Sky Sports, Mick McCarthy delivered the encouraging news that he'd had a "really good meeting" with Declan Rice regarding the West Ham player's international future.
McCarthy was also asked about the chances that Leeds striker, Patrick Bamford, might also play for Ireland. McCarthy said that he would be seeking a meeting with Bamford.
The next obvious question was about another English-born Irish eligible player: Nathan Redmond. The query was not put to McCarthy but the Irish Independent reports on St. Stephen's Day that the Ireland manager is pursuing the possibility that the Southampton winger could switch his allegiance to Ireland.
It was reported nearly five years ago that Martin O'Neill, just months into his time as Ireland boss, was in a 'tug-of-war' with then England manager, Roy Hodgson, over Redmond.
Redmond, who has represented England at all underage levels, chose to stick rather than twist. He went on to win one senior cap for England. Though, as that came in a friendly against Germany last year and not in a competitive international, he could still switch to Ireland.
The 24-year-old has been a first team fixture for Southampton this season, starting all of the club's 18 Premier League games. Over the weekend, he set up Michael Obafemi as the Ireland international became Southampton's youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League.
