The Football Spin: Ireland need Jack Byrne and Troy Parrott NOW, United on a roll

"If he starts for Spurs he has to be a shoo-in to get in the squad..."

Mick McCarthy isn't getting as carried away about Troy Parrott as every Spurs and Ireland fan is. The 17-year-old is catching eyes during pre-season, starting alongside Harry Kane for Tottenham but there seems to be a stipulation with players getting into the Ireland team. On The Football Spin on Friday, Dion Fanning, Paddy McKenna and Conán Doherty discussed McCarthy's comments about the Dublin-born striker and, once again, the mad idea that getting an international call-up would be a step up for some of these men. In this case, the player is already at a higher standard.

"The gauntlet is laid down for Parrott," said Doherty. "If he starts for a team that would hammer Ireland 6-0, then we'll bring him into the squad."

Jack Byrne starred again for Shamrock Rovers as they achieved another European win in Tallaght and McKenna pondered if he's someone the Ireland team could be built around. Fanning made the inevitable Wes Hoolahan connection and explained how someone like Jack Byrne has done so much more for the League of Ireland than all the campaigns to get people out to watch. Finally, United. Four games, four wins, nine goals and assists from academy players. The future is bright. Right? Listen below or subscribe here.

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