WILLIAM O’CONNOR insists he would have no problem seeing Ireland and Northern Ireland unite as one team at the World Cup.
The Magpie defended after the Tyrone thrower switched allegiance from Northern Ireland to Ireland ahead of next month’s event in Frankfurt.
William O’Connor would like Ireland and Northern Ireland unite as one team at the World Cup Credit: Alamy
Mickey Mansell switched allegiance from Northern Ireland to Ireland ahead of the World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Mansell will now partner O’Connor after both he and Brendan Dolan changed nationality status earlier this year.
The switches pushed Keane Barry out of the qualification spots through the Order of Merit.
But O’Connor insists players should be free to choose who they represent and would happily welcome Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney into an all-Ireland team.
He said: “Mickey has always been Irish. As far as I know, he changed his flag four or five years ago, it wasn’t just this year, done it this year.
“In Ireland, under the Good Friday Agreement , you can be seen as Irish, British, whatever you want.
“Mickey has always gone under the banner of Irish even though he played for down the line.
“I have no issue with anybody wanting to play for .
“The way I see it is, it’s the island of Ireland and if Daryl and
Josh want to represent the whole of Ireland then the best of luck to them.
The World Cup takes place next month in Frankfurt Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“I want the two best players to represent the whole of Ireland, that’s the way it is.”
Mansell previously represented Northern Ireland at four consecutive World Cups between 2012 and 2015, reaching the semi-finals once.
Meanwhile, O’Connor reached the quarter-finals of the tournament alongside Barry in 2025 before suffering an 8-5 defeat to Northern Ireland.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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