List of dual Irish international footballers

In subsequent years both the IFA and the FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island.

In September 1946 Johnny Carey and Bill Gorman actually played for both Ireland teams against England within three days of each other.

On 8 March 1950, in a qualifier against Wales at the Racecourse Ground, the IFA XI included four players – Tom Aherne, Reg Ryan, Davy Walsh and the captain Con Martin – who were born in the Irish Free State.

[6] The issue over international eligibility continues to be disputed between the two associations, highlighted in 2007 by the Darron Gibson case.

[8][9][10] The vast majority of the players involved were born in what is now the Republic of Ireland and were selected to play for the IFA XI.

The earliest dual internationals - Dinny Hannon, Bill Lacey, Patsy Gallacher, Mick O'Brien, Tom Farquharson, Frank Collins and Ed Brookes – all initially represented the IFA XI before the FAI began organising a team.

From 1924 until 1936, the FAI called their team the Irish Free State and generally just selected players who were born in what is now the Republic of Ireland.

On 17 March 1936, for the game against Switzerland, the FAI referred to their team as Ireland for the first time and subsequently declared their intention to follow the IFA and select players from throughout the island.

[4] In 1936 and 1937 several Northerners including, Hugh Connolly, Davy Jordan, John Feenan, Mick Hoy, Tommy Donnelly and Jackie Brown all played for the FAI XI.

Sloan earned the FAI XI a surprise victory when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Spain.

However, several people have appeared in Northern Ireland youth matches before switching to the Republic of Ireland where they have appeared in youth and/or senior matches, e.g., Alan Kernaghan, Darron Gibson, Marc Wilson, James McClean, Shane Duffy, Paul George, Eunan O'Kane, etc.