And only one of them currently in the squad.
Six games of footie will be televised on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there is potential for as many as 13 Irish players to take to our screens for FA Cup action.
With lowly Aston Villa looking to plunge new depths with defeat in Wycombe, only Ciaran Clark is already in Martin O’Neill’s international panel so it’s worth keeping an eye on the rest.
Friday
Exeter City v Liverpool
7.55pm
BBC One
Clinton Morrison (Exeter City)
Is there anything to be said for another Clinton Morrison call-up?
With nine goals for his country, Clinton Morrison is still going strong at the sprightly age of 36. The striker has been used mostly as a sub for the League Two outfit but he started and scored in their last FA Cup clash against Port Vale.
Daniel Cleary (Liverpool)
Defensive crisis, cup game, fourth tier opposition. If Daniel Cleary is going to make an appearance for Liverpool this season, this is the time.
The 19-year-old centre half could make his debut for the Reds’ senior side with ideas of Jose Enrique filling in the middle of their rearguard and Jurgen Klopp has said that he will be giving the kids a chance.
Saturday
Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa
12.45pm
BT Sport 2
Michael Harriman (Wycombe Wanderers)
The 23-year-old defender has been starring for Wycombe, playing every game and already bagging five league goals this season alone. The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international also struck the late winner against Millwall to send his side through to the FA Cup third round.
Won’t be expecting much trouble out of Villa’s false nine attack.
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
He’s going to France anyway, he’s earned that but he’s fighting for his place in the Villa defence with three other centre halves in Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards and Jores Okore. Lescott is his biggest threat though, occupying the left side of those pairings. That’s a positive thing for Clark.
Manchester United v Sheffield United
5.30pm
BT Sport 2
Conor Sammon (Sheffield United)
On loan from Derby, League One is agreeing with the Dubliner who has tallied five goals in 12 league starts for the Blades. At 29 and with nine international caps already as a tester, he might have had his chance but the former UCD and Derry striker might be looking at some of the names alreadu on the squad and thinking he could make that flight to Paris.
Connor Dimaio (Sheffield United)
The Ireland under-19 midfielder has featured just once for the club this season but it was in the League Cup. Unlikely that they’ll throw him in at Old Trafford.
Sunday
Oxford United v Swansea City
12pm
BBC Two Wales
Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
The Irish under-21 winger is eligible through his grandfather and he’s featured in nearly every one of Oxford’s games as they’ve climbed to third in League Two so far.
He’s started every FA Cup game this season and, as a man who can be pushed into attack, it’ll be exciting to keep an eye on his progress.
Patrick Hoban (Oxford United)
Hoban has been used mostly as a sub throughout this campaign but, like O’Dowda, has been given his chance in three FA Cup games to date. The 24-year-old midfielder could have a big role to play on Sunday.
And, if he shows anything similar to his Dundalk form, he’ll have us talking for the next five months.
Canice Carroll (Oxford United)
He’s a homegrown youngster who won’t feature. But he’s an Ireland under-17 player and we’d love to see him.
Chelsea v Scunthorpe United
2pm
BT Sport 2
Stephen Dawson (Scunthorpe United)
The Scunthorpe skipper has been injured for a spell this season but he’s back and raring to go at the Bridge this weekend. 30-year-old defensive midfield stopper. If Paul Green can…
Niall Canavan (Scunthorpe United)
24-year-old defender with seven under-21 caps for the country. Played in two FA Cup victories to date. Laughs in the face of Diego Costa.
Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United)
Perhaps the most exciting of all the Irish on show this weekend. Paddy Madden is absolutely banging them in.
He’s played every single game for Scunthorpe this season and has notched up 11 of their 28 league goals. At 25, Madden has one Ireland cap from 2013 when he came on against Wales in a friendly but he’s leading the United attack with distinction this season.
Has two FA Cup goals already to boast. Keep an eye on this lad. Bohs fans with fond memories of their 2009 league title exploits will anyway.
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
4pm
BBC One
No use to us.
