Premier League midfielder who could make debut for Republic of Ireland against England qualifies through Offaly roots

A Premier League midfielder who could make his debut for the Republic of Ireland today against England qualifies through his Offaly roots.

Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer has completed his paperwork and received international clearance from FIFA. He is training this week in Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson's 23 man squad. Ireland play England this Saturday and Greece next Tuesday. 

Speaking yesterday, the winger said he turned down the chance to play for Norhtern Ireland and said the Republic of Ireland was the place for him.

Born in England, he qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through a grandmother who was originally from Offaly. His grandfather came from Belfast.

His late grandmother grew up in Offaly before she moved to Birmingham in her 20s like so many others of her generation.

Offaly has never produced an soccer player who was capped at Senior level for the country so it wouldn't be a surprise if we saw a few Offaly jerseys with McAteer on the back at future games.

McAteer scored seven goals last season helping Leicester City gain promotion to the top flight