Rory Finneran

Club career Described as a left-footed defensive midfielder, Finneran joined the Blackburn Rovers academy at eight years old. In December 2023, Finneran was named in the match day squad for Blackburn in the EFL Championship against Bristol City, but was an unused substitute. On 6 January 2024, he made his senior debut in the FA Cup against Cambridge United. At 15 years old, ten months and eight days, he became Blackburn's youngest ever debutant. However, he was not allowed to wear a kit with the main Blackburn shirt sponsor, an electronic cigarette manufacturer, due to his young age.

In July 2024, Finneran joined Newcastle United's academy, with a tribunal required to determine the compensation fee owed to Blackburn Rovers. On 29 August 2026, Finneran joined EFL League One side Notts County on a season-long loan.

International career A Republic of Ireland youth international, he first played for the U15 team against Cyprus in 2022. He went on to play for Ireland at U16 and U17 levels, making his competitive debut in a 4–0 Euro U17 qualifying win over Armenia in October 2023. He captained Ireland for the first time in a 3–1 victory over Australia at the start of 2023. Finneran was named the Republic of Ireland's under-15 player of the year in 2023. Finneran was named in the squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar in November 2025.

In May 2026, he received his first call up to the senior Republic of Ireland team as a late call up for a friendly against Granada. On 16 May, Finneran made his debut, replacing Jayson Molumby from the bench in a 5–0 win over Grenada.

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