Should Rory Finneran make his Ireland Under-21s debut on Saturday against Croatia it will be the fourth age grade he’s played at for Ireland in 6 months.

This time last year Rory was lining out for the Under-17s in the Croatian village of Kortoriba – a population just shy of 3,000. He later starred at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar and in March was part of the Under-19s team that played three games in Scotland.

In May he made his senior international debut when he came on a second half sub for Jayson Molumby against Grenada in Murcia, Spain making him the 8^th youngest player to play for the Ireland senior team aged 18 years, 2 months and 17 days.

It’s little wonder why the Newcastle United midfield describes his progression through the Ireland Football pathway as ‘mad’.
 

Path to the senior team

It was a really good experience, you’re in with top players and it’s not even the training it’s just being around players of that level and you’re watching what they do and what level you need to be at.

To be fair someone said it to me yesterday I’ve done four age groups this season and it’s when you think about it, it’s mad but it’s a great experience but I’ve found that with every camp you always take something from it.

It was a big jump going into the senior team but certainly being around the first team at Newcastle United helped me being with top players.

The biggest thing wasn’t even making my debut it was the whole week leading up to Grenada, being in that environment being around training and knowing what the manager expects from you.

 
Inclusion in the Under-21s squad

When you come up through the age groups you’re used to being in camps with players of your age so being in with the senior team prepared me for coming into the Under-21s and playing with lads I hadn’t been in with before. Obviously I’ve good friends the likes of Michael (Noonan), Kian (McMahon Brown) and Jaden (Umeh) who are part of the Under-21s so that helps settle you in.

I chatted with Jim (Crawford) and he told me how he wanted me in for this camp in Croatia, to meet the staff and see how the Under-21s are as a group. The games in September are huge. These friendlies will prepare us for that so it’s about training hard and hopefully I’ll be involved for Croatia.

I know Jim mentioned how me being capped can inspire others but it’s not just me. When you see Jaden and Mason making their debuts recently I think it shows there’s a pathway in Ireland to the senior team so at Under-21s you know you’re only one step away from that.
 

Newcastle United’s part in his development

I went back to the club after making my Ireland debut and the lads at the club were so happy for me they were congratulating me which shows they care about me. I feel I’m developing well there, I’m around Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, two unbelievable players who play my position and you learn so much from them subconsciously.

It's a good place to be, I’m so happy for Alex Murphy, we messaged each other wishing each other the best, it’s good to have him involved with the club and Ireland.

International Friendly Fixtures (kick-offs are Irish time)

Saturday, June 6 | Croatia U21 vs Ireland U21, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, KO 16.30
Tuesday, June 9 | Ireland U21 vs Qatar U23, Gradski Stadion, Vrbovec, Zagreb, KO 15.45