Friday 19 August 2011

O'KANE POISED FOR REPUBLIC SWITCH

Torquay United midfielder Eunan O'Kane is poised to switch his registration from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland in an international 'transfer'.

O'Kane, who hails from County Londonderry, has appeared for the North at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels and is one of only three Gulls players to have represented one of the home nations at senior or Under-21 level.

The former Everton starlet is one of several players to switch his international allegiance from Northern Ireland to Eire in recent years.

Amongst these are Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson and O'Kane's former Everton teammate Shane Duffy.

Once the paperwork has been completed, O'Kane should be available for selection by Eire for the next round of qualifiers. His new teammates will include ex Gulls loanee Ronan Murray and former Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason.