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Football

12th Jan 2023

Ireland set to swoop in for Northern Ireland teen sensation Sean Moore

Lee Costello

The youngster is widely sought after by big clubs in England.

It is understood that the Republic of Ireland football association are interested in Northern Ireland’s teen sensation Sean Moore, and want to convince the youngster to play for the Republic.

The young prospect currently plays for Cliftonville and has been lighting up the Northern Premier League as an exciting winger who takes players on, and makes things happen.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, even the bigger teams across the water are interested in securing his signature, such as Newcastle United, Brighton and Everton.

The 17-year-old made his senior debut for the Reds last season at just 16, and the Republic of Ireland are very keen to introduce him to their underage set up and nail him down as their player.

Michael O’Neill is back in charge of Northern Ireland for the second time, and during his first reign there, he was very adamant about keeping players who were born in the north.

As a north Belfast native, Moore is eligible to play for whichever country he desires, as he owns the right to dual citizenship because of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

In November, Bristol City midfielder Mark Sykes became the first Belfast-born player to play for the Republic of Ireland in 76 years in a 1-0 friendly win over Malta having starred previously for Northern Ireland Under-21s prior to switching allegiance in 2020.

If a deal were to be made for Moore to transfer to a team in either England or Scotland, it is understood that he would return to Cliftonville on loan to see out the remainder of the season.

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