Love Island star Toby hoping for call-up from Irish national football team
Love Islander Toby has designs on playing for Ireland while Catherine is game for Dancing with the Stars
Catherine Agbaje and Toby Aromolaran launch Virgin Media Play: Get Play,Your Way
Love Island star Toby Aromolaran is hoping for a call-up from not just a League of Ireland side but the Irish national football team.
The 26-year-old, who finished second on the hit TV show in 2021 when he reached the final alongside Chloe Burrows, is a footballer with semi-professional club Hashtag United, and its men's team plays in the Isthmian League Premier in the UK.
'If an Irish team gave me a trial in the Irish league, I would, why not? It would be a bit of fun,' Toby says.
'My mum (Victoria) is from Crossmolina in Co Mayo and I've got an Irish passport.
'I play as a forward with Hashtag United, both on the wings and as a striker.'
Toby is setting his footballing sights high.
'I don't see why Ireland don't call me up, why not? I'm just waiting for the manager to call,' he winks.
Finalists Toby and Chloe
Toby, who grew up in Essex and whose dad is from Nigeria, is a regular visitor to Ireland.
'I was in Mayo last year, the October half term. It was quite funny cos I got recognised a bit,' he explains.
'Mum's dad is from Wexford, then he moved to Mayo and my mum grew up in Mayo. I still have my cousins and aunt that live in Foxford. I've been going there since I was quite young, nearly every summer.'
Toby confirms he's 'young, free and single' right now.
'I wouldn't say no to going a date with an Irish girl,' he smiles.
But he draws the line at Maura Higgins.
'Yeah I am familiar with Maura. She's a nice girl, she's alright, not a bit of me though. There's nothing wrong with her but she's just not my type, we're just not compatible.
'The age gap wouldn't work — I'm not her type and she's not my type,' he insists.
The 24-year-old student and real estate agent from Blanchardstown was in season 10 of Love Island in 2023, entering on day one before being dumped on Day 38. Earlier this year Catherine also featured on Love Island All Stars.
During her time in the villa she bonded with Welsh goalkeeper Scott Van-Der-Sluis.
'He played for Shelbourne, he's a goalkeeper,' says Catherine, who now lives in London.
'We talked a lot about Dublin, I think that was what we bonded about, that he lived in Dublin and trained here. He only lived 10 minutes away from where I lived in Blanchardstown, so we did talk about Dublin a lot.'
Catherine is also currently single and has a couple of celebrity crushes.
'Looks wise, I like Michael B Jordan, but personality wise I love the streamer called Kai (Cenat), he's the biggest streamer.
'He's so funny. I'd love someone I could just sit down with and laugh for hours,' she says.
Toby also has his own personal favourites.
'[American singers] Madison Beer and SZA,' he raves when asked about his dream date.
Both stars giggle when asked about the possibility of them dating each other some time, given they live close to each other in the London area.
'We're going on holidays after this, maybe Miami, we haven't decided yet,' jokes Toby.
Catherine is enjoying travelling and has a number of projects on the go.
Catherine Agbaje and Toby Aromolaran launch Virgin Media Play: Get Play,Your Way
News in 90 Seconds - 09 June 2025
She would like to follow in the footsteps of fellow Dublin Islander Yewande Bialado and take part in Dancing With The Stars.
'I'd love to do it. I'd be open to it, as it would be a challenge, like Yewande did,' she said.
'I didn't know Yewande beforehand. I think we have some mutual friends, but I didn't know here personally. I watched the show.'
Catherine and Toby have their own bits of advice for the new batch going into the 12th series of Love Island tomorrow..
'My tip is be yourself, go for what you want, stand your ground,' she says.
Toby adds: 'Just enjoy the process and let yourself enjoy the experience, because there's only limited time you're going to be in that village, so enjoy it while it lasts — connect to people, just let go, don't be uptight.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
21 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Historic pub on Dublin's Parnell Street offered for €2.25m
It is being sold by the Broder family and in 2010 this newspaper reported that they bought it for around €1m. Subsequently they undertook a major investment and extended the premises to include Parnell Street's only rooftop terrace bar, Captain Moonlight's, as well as the Rua Cocktail Bar on the first floor. Over the years the pub was strongly associated with Irish television's early political humour when the Hall's Pictorial Weekly programme satirised Irish local party councillors by naming one of them Parnell Mooney, which had been the well-known name of the pub for the best part of a century. That character was played by the late Frank Kelly who went on to play the drunken Fr Jack Hackett in Father Ted. Located in a historic position on Parnell Street, just off O'Connell Street, opposite the Rotunda Hospital and adjacent to Henry Street, The Parnell Heritage Bar & Grill which extends to 700 sqm. Shane Markey of Lisney describes the premises as being in very good trading condition and offering spaces for day trade, dining and events. He believes it has significant potential for further growth.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Wexford GAA reveals new sponsor for underage competitions
For the last 21 years OmniPro has provided a range of consulting, training and support services for Irish accounting firms and their SME clients. OmniPro provide tax, company law, corporate finance, recruitment, technical support and profitability advisory to firms and their clients throughout Ireland. Based in Ferns, its CEO is Des O'Neill, whose family has a long-standing involvement in the GAA at all levels. Des said: 'I see every week during the playing season the immense effort put in by players and their coaches alike, and how much taking part in these championships means to them' 'There's nothing quite like watching young hurlers and footballers playing with heart and determination, and all the while building teamwork, discipline, and character. It reminds us of why we love the games in the first place. I am delighted to be able to contribute to their journey. 'The children of today are our future. They are the foundation on which the GAA is built,' he added. Cathaoirleach of Wexford GAA, John Kenny, has thanked Des and OmniPro for their support. 'This contribution is an investment in young people, their development, and their dreams,' he said. 'It will help us to continue a games programme that brings some 50 different Cup and Shield competitions each year. Not only does this games programme mean that each player has a title to aim for, but it also creates an environment where they can experience the joy of the games, build friendships, and learn valuable life lessons. We are very grateful for OmniPro support and how it enables us to continue to do this.' John added his thanks to People Newspapers and the Irish Independent for their previous sponsorship of the competitions, and their ongoing great coverage of Gaelic games at all levels in the county. 'We are lucky to enjoy such a good relationship with the local media and I thank them sincerely for all the space they afford for match reports and other Gaelic games news each week,' he said. This year's OmniPro Under-14 Championships are already under way, while the Under-16 and Minor Championships are to commence in the coming weeks, following the conclusion of State Exams.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Simon Zebo: Leinster's URC final has big role to play in larger Lions picture
Simon Zebo believes Leinster's experience in this Saturday's BKT URC final at Croke Park will have 'huge significance', both for them and for the entire British and Irish Lions squad, later in the summer. Andy Farrell broke the record for representatives from one club when choosing so many boys in blue for the trip Down Under, but the province as a whole has flattered to deceive yet again at the tail end of a campaign. A Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton Saints, bad in its own right, was followed by an obvious hangover in URC ties against Glasgow and Scarlets, before signs of an upswing against the Warriors last week. Farrell will be heavily invested as he watches them take on the Bulls in Croke Park. 'For sure, it will definitely help the confidence and the momentum, especially with the Lions core being Irish-heavy. If those lads perform and pick up the URC, that will bring a lot of confidence back and it will bode well for the squad as a whole. 'So it is a pretty important fixture this week,' Zebo agreed. 'There is a lot of pressure on Leinster and, looking down the line at the Lions and form and getting picked, then this match has huge significance, for sure.' The 37-19 defeat of the Scots at the Aviva Stadium last weekend will have come as some relief to the club's supporters. Leinster claimed six tries against Franco Smith's side and were much more comfortable than that scoreline suggests. And yet. Zebo was in Ballsbridge working on the game for Premier Sports and he watched the second-semi-final between the Bulls and the Sharks in full immediately after. He has no doubt that Leinster aren't humming again yet. 'No. I thought Glasgow were poor. I thought Leinster were good without being great. The Bulls will be very different, but I said that after the Scarlets. I felt Leinster did up their game and Glasgow weren't as good as I thought they would be. 'Again, the Bulls will definitely be better. Whether or not [Leinster] win I don't know but I am not convinced yet. I don't think the performances since Northampton from Leinster and those 12 Lions has been back to their best rugby. 'Not yet anyway, but they are all capable of doing that.' The Lions context aside, this is a huge game for Leo Cullen, his team and the organization at large given the recent history of defeats in big knockout games since winning their last trophy – the last ever PRO14 title – in 2021. Zebo agrees that some of their deficiencies have been mental but added that there 'were a couple of little arrogant things through selection' in there too, most obviously when they rotated so heavily for a URC semi-final against Munster two years ago. Backs are clearly against the wall in the capital. Joe McCarthy all but admitted as much when he spoke to RTÉ after the semi-final and put it out there that everyone hated Leinster. The old siege mentality approach. 'They're probably out to prove people wrong and that will probably help. Their previous mentality hasn't worked so I suppose going in with a fresh mindset, maybe Jacques Nienaber might have had some insight there. 'He's a brilliant motivator and gets the players going. I don't like Leinster, just because they're rivals, so you know what I mean? Munster dislike them and they dislike Munster, that's no problem. It's like Barcelona and Real Madrid in soccer. "Of course you don't like your rivals, but I don't think the general public hate Leinster as much as maybe they believe inside camp. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.' As for his own province, Munster will have just one player on tour in Australia this summer in Tadhg Beirne. It is the province's lowest representation since the 1997 series win in South Africa. Something to think about before the 2029 trip to New Zealand. 'Individual ambitions for the players? Absolutely. I know Craig Casey would be one of those expecting to go on that next Lions tour. With his form he could have potentially gone on this tour. You have Jack Crowley potentially in the same boat. 'You have someone like Calvin Nash who wants to break back onto the international scene and potentially go on a Lions tour. Then people like Alex Kendellen and Tom Ahern: there could potentially be a big swing in representation from this tour to the next.' Simon Zebo teamed up with BoyleSports to preview the British & Irish Lions Tour. BoyleSports will Pay Out Early if either side goes 17 points ahead at any stage.
