ENNIS’ Ben Lyne has turned down England and has nailed his colours to the mast in wanting to line out for the Republic of Ireland.
Ben rejected a call to represent the England U16 squad and instead captained the Irish U15s this week where they faced Cyprus in the first of a double-header of international friendlies.
Currently part of the Manchester United academy, Ben is expected to feature for the clubs U18 side this year, they are managed by former club midfielder Darren Fletcher. Fellow Irish wingers, Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel have stood out for the U18s under Fletcher.
Ex Man Utd youths coach, Neil Ryan had selected Ben for their upcoming U16 games against Italy in Florence but Lyne was quick to inform management he did not wish to be part of their plans, he withdrew alongside Emmanuel Famokun, they were replaced by Jaice Dore and Eliah Semakula.
In March, Ben made his debut for the Irish U15s scoring two goals in their 4-2 defeat to the Netherlands.
Last October, Ben was called up to the English U15s ID camp but his desire has always been to represent the Republic of Ireland and when the call to join the national U15 squad arrived, he duly answered. His decision to decline the England U16 squad comes as little surprise.
Ben signed for Manchester United last August from Wolves when several Premier League clubs were eyeing up the promising attacker. While Brexit rules have prevented many young Irish footballers from signing with clubs in the UK until they turn eighteen, Ben has been able to navigate over this obstacle through the fact he was born in the Cayman Islands.
A son of Seán and Maeve, Ben joined Wolves from the Cayman Islands football academy, Total Soccer Cayman, where he caught the attention of Wolves scouts in an English youth tournament.
Manchester United was in flying form for Manchester United in the recent SuperCup NI, helping them to win the Globe title in July where they defeated Tigres in the final. They came from a goal down with Lyne landing the equaliser and then struck a penalty to the back of the net in the shootout.
Lyne was the only Manchester United player to score in every match he started throughout the tournament, putting everyone on notice with a string of outstanding performances. His movement, composure and eye for goal were exemplary, he looked at home on one of youth football’s biggest stages.
