Premier League striker with strong Mayo roots confirms commitment to Ireland

LEICESTER CITY striker Tom Cannon will not be following the example of Jack Grealish and Declan Rice. Media reports had suggested that the promising goalscorer was set to declare for England, but Cannon moved to dismiss that today and said he's looking forward to Ireland's upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Portugal.

Cannon starred for Ireland at U21 level, but was ill when called up to the senior squad by Stephen Kenny and when England made an approach for his services there were strong rumours that he was about to throw in his lot with Gareth Southgate's side.

Cannon had been called by Kenny in May 2023 for a Bristol training camp but he didn't show.

It was reported at the time that Cannon had tonsillitis but Kenny confirmed the following month that the player had been approached by England over a switch of international allegiance.

However, Ireland fans who may have been dreading a repeat of the Grealish/Rice sagas breathed sighs of relief this week, when Cannon was named in John O'Shea's 26-man squad for the upcoming double-header.

The young man with strong links to the Louisburgh and Balla areas has committed his future to Ireland and when speaking to the media he was ready to reassure everyone that England wasn't on his mind.

"I wouldn't even say I was in two minds, it was more of a case that when I have been called up to play for Ireland, I have come. Previously when call ups have come, I have arrived here. Under Stephen Kenny, I had tonsillitis [in June 2023], so obviously I could not come into camp

"I have been, totally committed to Ireland, it is just that you newspapers like to create stories and headlines about England. I have always been committed to Ireland, hence why I am here."

Cannon's comment is great news for soccer fans in Mayo and relatives from Louisburgh and Balla are sure to be in Dublin when he wears the green at senior level. The Leicester City striker comes from a family renowned for their sporting talent according to former chairman of West Mayo GAA Sean McEvilly.

“The Cannons from Mulagh (Near Louisburgh) were always lovely people and deserve every bit of success that comes their way. Tom’s granduncles, Marty and Noel, played football with Louisburgh and were very handy in front of goal themselves,” Sean explained.

Cannon will be battling for a place in John O'Shea's Irish team with a number of forwards who will be coming into camp on the crest of a wave. Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics finished the season as the top scorer in the EFL Championship, while Adam Idah scored the winner in the Scottish Cup final for Celtic against Rangers.

On top of that, Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick in Excelsior's 7-1 win over  ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie relegation play-offs, so the young man with strong Mayo links will be entering a very competitive international environment.