Despite the presence of Josh Cullen on the field, Burnley and Sunderland's 0-0 draw in the Championship on Friday night probably wasn't top of the TV billings for Irish football fans.
However, the presence of both Heimir Hallgrímsson and John O'Shea in the Turf Moor stands was a signal that this was a more consequential game for Irish football than originally thought.
Cullen, who is an Irish veteran at this stage, was joined on the field by three other players who are eligible for Ireland.
The presence of the Irish manager and the assistant manager at Burnley last night has led many to believe that the pair were on a recruitment mission, so to speak.
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Hallgrímsson and O'Shea raise eyebrows with Burnley visit
The reliability of Cullen coupled with the presence of Jobe Bellingham, Dennis Cirkin and CJ Egan-Riley has led many to believe that the national management were on site with the hope of getting eyes on one or more of the Irish-eligible trio - a keen spot first made by Irish social media page, Rep of Ireland Player Tracker.
After Hallgrimsson's journey, here's how each of the three lads are eligible to play for Ireland and how they shape up to lineout in green.
Jobe Bellingham - Sunderland
Bellingham is possibly the least likely of the three stars to represent Ireland. He's the younger brother of England sensation Jude Bellingham, and both he and his brother qualify to play for Ireland through their grandparents on their father Mark's side, who are Irish.
Despite the eligibility, neither Jude or Jobe represented Ireland at any age. Jobe has represented England at every age group from U16 to U21, earning his last cap just last year.
11 June 2024; Jobe Bellingham of England in action against Conan Noonan of Republic of Ireland during the international friendly match between England U20's and Republic of Ireland U21's at Gradski Stadion in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile
CJ Egan-Riley - Burnley
Egan-Riley appears the most likely of Friday night's match to declare for Ireland. The defender came through Manchester City's youth system before moving to Burnley and spending time on loan at Hibs and Jong PSV.
While Egan-Riley has represented England at U16,17,18 and U19 levels, he has also represented Ireland - earning two U16 caps for this country during the 2018 Victory Shield. While his huge potential saw him opt to earn caps for England since, the 22-year-old who hasn't played for the country of his birth in a year.
Born in Manchester, CJ Egan-Riley is also eligible to play for Ireland through familial links.
Dennis Cirkin - Sunderland
Cirkin was the sole Dubliner in action last night. The 22-year-old defender was born in Dublin to Latvian parents before moving to London at three years of age and joining the Tottenham Hotspur academy a few years later.
Eligible to represent Latvia, Ireland and England, Cirkin is yet to earn a senior cap with any of the three, although he has starred in the England underage set up several times, earning caps at U16,17,18 and U20, even getting sent off in a clash between the England U17s and the Republic of Ireland.
That said, Cirkin's last cap came in 2021 and the prospect of him joining up with the England senior squad is uncertain at best.
8 November 2018; Dennis Cirkin of England is shown a red card by referee Yigal Frid during the U17 International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and England at Tallaght Stadium in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Cirkin plays left back, a position Ireland are in sore need of help in. Here's how he explained his international ambitions last year:
“I've got a few nationalities but I think, at the moment, especially because of last season, where I was basically injured for the whole season, my main focus is staying fit, being consistent, making that spot mine and thriving at club level first before I start to look into any pathways. But for sure, I'm always thinking about it.”
The Icelandic Ireland manager has already revealed his plans to utilise the 'Granny Rule' as much as possible, setting up a new role to identify potential targets nearly immediately upon starting management in Dublin, and having used a similar system to great effect while he was in charge in Jamaica.
If he and O'Shea could get their hands on even one of the three Championship stars, it would be a massive boost to an Ireland side that could do with both fresh defenders and a strong midfielder.
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