Eiran Cashin has been forced to bide his time.
Aged 20, Eiran Cashin was forced to bide his time for his chance with Ireland at international level, although there was little he could have done about it.
Passport issues denied him the opportunity to play for the Boys in Green in March against Sweden, and it looked like it was going to be the cause of another delay this month.
But on Monday, the Derby County starlet finally got his chance to make up on lost time for Ireland at international level, grabbing an assist in a 3-1 win at home to Montenegro.
“Now that I can finally say that I’m Irish and to play is an honour…”
Qualifying to play for Ireland via his Leitrim-born grandmother, Cashin was born and raised in Mansfield.
However, he has been on the radar for the Boys in Green since U18 level, when Andy Reid was involved.
“My granny was born in Leitrim,” he explains when speaking after Ireland’s U21 win at home to Montenegro.
“That’s where my Irish comes from. I’ve been to Ireland loads of times; I love the country. Now that I can finally say that I’m Irish and to play is an honour. I’m just glad to get it done.”
When with the Ireland U18s, Cashin did play a number of friendlies against Turkey – but none of those encounters were competitive affairs.
“I was in the U18s and we played a few friendlies against Turkey,” he adds. “That was under Andy Reid. It was a good experience.
“We were supposed to get things sorted then and it didn’t happen. I’m just happy that it’s all done and I can play.”
“You get used to the ups and down of football but I’ve kicked on…”
While on the FAI’s radar for a while, it was Cashin’s club form that caught the eye during the 2021/22 Championship season.
In his first season of regular first-team football, the 20-year-old played a pivotal part in Derby’s end of season survival chase.
Unfortunately, that ended in heartache for Wayne Rooney’s side, but it was a year that the Ireland U21 can take plenty out of.
“It was good,” he said on his club season. “There’s been a few ups and downs as well.
“I wasn’t allowed to play for a certain amount of time due to rules and regulations. It was difficult and sort of similar to what happened here.
“You get used to the ups and down of football but I’ve kicked on and it’s been really good.
This angle of @eirancashin‘s goal yesterday 👌🤤
Putting smiles on over 1,300 faces in the away end at Meadow Lane! 🐏#DCFC pic.twitter.com/73RZBIqw1t
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) August 2, 2021
He adds: “Due to the embargo, there were only a certain number of players allowed to play.
“Myself and a few other lads weren’t. The gaffer wanted to give me a chance but I wasn’t allowed because of the embargo.
“I was playing in the Under-23s but couldn’t really progress. Things changed and I eventually made my debut. Thankfully it’s gone alright from there.”
“He’s so experienced and you know what he’s done in the game as a player…”
While at Pride Park during the Championship season, Cashin made up a part of the Rams’ healthy Irish contingent.
Managed by Wayne Rooney, both Festy Ebosele and Jason Knight shined – with Cashin being the surprise name to do so.
“He’s been really good,” Cashin explains when speaking about Rooney. “He’s so experienced and you know what he’s done in the game as a player.
“I’m just trying to learn off him. Him being a striker, he knows what defenders should and shouldn’t do.
“He’s got loads of tips and I’m trying to learn off him to improve.”
Cashin’s current deal at the club is due to expire at the end of June, with the club’s off-field chaos continuing, as their wait for a new owner drags on.
Eiran Cashin’s first professional goal for Derby County 🇮🇪⚽️🔥
Jason Knight (21), Louie Watson (20) and Festy Ebosele (19) also started in the Rams’ 2-0 win over Blackpool 💪#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/zrIhQEHQO2
— Kenny’s Kids (@KennysKids) May 2, 2022
“We’re trying to get things sorted, still waiting for Derby to officially announce their new owner,” he explains.
“I’ve got to wait for that to happen and hopefully can get things sorted on that side. I’m just happy to be here playing for Ireland.”
Ireland U21s on the brink of history.
Despite Cashin being unsure of his club future, he will be putting that to one side as Ireland look to conclude their U21 European Championship campaign positively.
As it stands, the young Boys in Green are on the brink of sealing a play-off berth for the U21 European Championship.
However, Ireland may still top the group, if Italy drop points away to Sweden on Thursday evening in Helsingborg and Ireland win away against the Italians next week.
“It’s a great position to be in,” Cashin concludes. “The lads did a lot of hard work before I got the call-up.
“Hopefully we get over the line and be the first team to qualify.”
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