Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill admits it’s “disappointing” that Chelsea teenager Chris Atherton has opted to switch international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland – but insists the Irish FA “have to accept it and move on”.
Atherton became the youngest player to feature in a senior men’s match in the United Kingdom when Gary Hamilton handed him his Glenavon debut in a BetMcLean Cup triumph over Dollingstown aged 13 years and 329 days in September 2022.
The 17-year-old developed a reputation as one of the Irish League’s most exciting prospects after coming through the ranks at the Lurgan Blues and made 24 Premiership appearances last term.
Atherton sealed a dream move to Premier League giants Chelsea last summer and has featured for the club’s U18s this season.
Chris Atherton switched international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. (Photo by Pacemaker)placeholder image
Chris Atherton switched international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. (Photo by Pacemaker)
He started out in the Republic of Ireland’s emerging talent programme aged 12 before representing Northern Ireland up to U17 level – he was also the Irish FA’s youth ambassador at the 2028 European Championships co-hosting announcement.
Atherton’s decision is a potential future blow to O’Neill’s squad with the teenager tipped for big things, but the Northern Ireland chief knows that players have the right to make such calls.
"It's disappointing,” said O’Neill. “He’s a young player that had been initially in the Republic of Ireland set-up, he then came to be part of our set-up.
"He wasn't a resident in the JD Academy although he did come into the JD Academy and he played a lot – I think Chris played maybe 17 times for representative teams for us.
"But every player has the right to make that choice and obviously he's made that choice. It's disappointing but we have to accept it and move on.
"We had it with Omari Kellyman, who made a similar decision and went back to England. Players have choices, we can't handcuff them to a decision that they made initially.
"They have the right to make that choice once in their career and Chris has decided to make that choice – we can only wish him well.”