Ireland boss met with rising Mayo star John Patrick Finn

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has made a personal approach to John Joe Patrick Finn, a promising midfielder with strong Ballyhaunis roots, as part of a whirlwind scouting mission across Europe.

Finn, 21, was born and raised in Spain but proudly boasts Mayo heritage through his late father, originally from Ballyhaunis.

His mother is of French and Cameroonian descent.

The former Getafe prodigy who earned his first and only international caps with Ireland's under-19s in 2021 has seen his career rejuvenated following a January move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims. Though still finding his footing at the club, and an unused substitute in Sunday’s clash with Montpellier, his potential has not gone unnoticed.

Hallgrímsson's visit to France to watch Finn was part of a broader European tour that also included stops in the Netherlands and France. There, he checked in with injured striker Troy Parrott, observed Anselmo Garcia McNulty playing for Zwolle against Feyenoord, and watched Andrew Omobamidele in action for Strasbourg.

While Finn has yet to fully break into the starting lineup at Reims, speculation is mounting that he may receive a senior call-up for Ireland's upcoming June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.