Roy Finneran

[Jammy89]

Newcastle United?s Rory Finneran has reached a massive career milestone by earning a surprise invitation to the Republic of Ireland senior squad.

What makes the 18-year-old?s inclusion particularly remarkable is that he has yet to make his competitive first-team debut for us! However, his rapid ascent through the academy ranks and recent integration into Eddie Howe?s senior training sessions have clearly caught the eye of international scouts.

​Finneran?s promotion comes as Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson looks to bolster his options for an upcoming training camp in Murcia, Spain. The midfielder was drafted in following the injury-forced withdrawals of Cardiff?s Joel Bagan and Ipswich?s Kasey McAteer. While the absence of several veteran stars still tied up with domestic league and play-off commitments opened the door, Finneran?s credentials at the youth level have been undeniable.

​A standout performer for Newcastle?s Under-18 and Under-21 sides this season, Finneran has also been a key figure on the international stage. He played a pivotal role in Ireland?s Under-17 World Cup campaign earlier this year and marked his Under-19 debut with a clinical goal against Poland back in March.

Since joining Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers in 2024 as a highly-rated prospect, he has consistently punched above his weight in the development squads.

​The young Magpie is now in contention to earn his first senior cap when Ireland concludes their Spanish camp with a friendly against Grenada on Saturday, May 16. For the Geordie faithful, Finneran?s inclusion is a testament to the growing strength of the club's academy under the new ownership. For the player, it represents a golden opportunity to impress Hallgrimsson and stake a claim for a permanent spot in the national setup before he has even kicked a ball in the Premier League.
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Go on the lad.

Hopefully we'll see him push on and progress into our first team squad soon.

Feels like their is a nice little group of players just underneath the first team, just waiting to move up. . . could, hopefully will, save us a fortune in fees.

[Zippity]

My worry is that Eddie didn't play Anderson much so mustn't have rated him as highly as everyone else. He sold him for peanuts (relatively) when we could have sold Gordon instead.

I don't have a lot of confidence that this young lad would get much of an opportunity.

[Jammy89]

To be fair to Eddie - it was Anderson they wanted and Gordon we'd just signed.

But yes, I do agree Eddie's reluctance to play youth does bother me.

[Nufcian]

My worry is that Eddie didn't play Anderson much so mustn't have rated him as highly as everyone else. He sold him for peanuts (relatively) when we could have sold Gordon instead.

I don't have a lot of confidence that this young lad would get much of an opportunity.

This for me.

Anderson did not take a magic pill in the summer he moved, but he showed himself to be a reliable player with engine and good touch from the start at Forest.

That should have been plainly clear for Eddie, but he was too busy playing Longstaff over Tonali the first half of the season, to worry about giving Anderson time.

All the talk about Eddie develops young players, the way Anderson was played and then sold (there were options) at a time when he looked like Longstaff was a favourite… puts a big hole in that for me.

[toptoon]

I remember Tonali being bedded in slowly, as was Bruno. Anderson, at the time, was not good enough to hold down a first team place. Unpopular opinion these days, but true!

[toonozandy]

This for me.

Anderson did not take a magic pill in the summer he moved, but he showed himself to be a reliable player with engine and good touch from the start at Forest.

That should have been plainly clear for Eddie, but he was too busy playing Longstaff over Tonali the first half of the season, to worry about giving Anderson time.

All the talk about Eddie develops young players, the way Anderson was played and then sold (there were options) at a time when he looked like Longstaff was a favourite?… puts a big hole in that for me.

Totally agree with Ian on this. The Anderson decision, as well as other puzzling selection integrity makes me want a new manager here. Look at how Eddie tried flogging off William Osalu back to Europe, NEVER gave the lad the time of day, and is ONLY seeing game time due to the two flops Eddie signed for nearly 130 million quid !!!! Wissa has played a total of 875 minutes this season for 3 goals !!!!

[HughieG]

Totally agree with Ian on this. The Anderson decision, as well as other puzzling selection integrity makes me want a new manager here. Look at how Eddie tried flogging off William Osalu back to Europe, NEVER gave the lad the time of day, and is ONLY seeing game time due to the two flops Eddie signed for nearly 130 million quid !!!! Wissa has played a total of 875 minutes this season for 3 goals !!!!

Osula is not even considered a given to be called up for the Danish national side. It's only recently that we've seen what he can do, but his stats were not brilliant when he came and he has previously looked out of depth.

Osula has definitely taken his chances this season, but nobody questioned that a decent sale to Frankfurt would have been beneficial earlier this season. Should Eddie not have tried to integrate Woltemade and Wissa into the starting eleven before Osula?