‘I'm a Mayo man' – John Joe Patrick opens up on roots and dream of more caps after Republic of Ireland debut
IRELAND fans are still getting to know John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa and even what to call him.
Some fans call him Finn, others John Joe, while he is known at French club
2
John Joe Patrick Finn is honoured to play for Ireland as his late father was from Mayo
2
The Stade de Reims ace is excited to create a legacy with Ireland
The back of his shirt when he came on for his Ireland debut against
Advertisement
So what does he prefer to be called?
He said: 'I prefer John but there are a lot of Johns in the squad, it's more easy.'
The 6ft 4in 21-year-old is a player that naturally excites fans when he bursts onto the international scene given his impressive CV that is like no other in the Ireland squad.
Born in Madrid, his mother Odetta is French with Cameroon heritage while his late father - also John - hailed from Galway but had Mayo roots.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON GAA
Spanish is his mother tongue and he told Luxembourgish journalists he did not feel comfortable being interviewed in French yet, but spoke happily to Irish journalists in English.
The midfielder said: 'My dad is from Ireland, also my grandfather and when I was young every summer I went to Ballyhaunis.
'So I had that connection when I was young, it really mattered. I am a Mayo man.
'It was nice, growing up it was so different from Madrid, where I lived. Those summers were really great, with my family, we had a great time, great days.'
Advertisement
Most read in Football
He actually played for Salthill Devon for a while though he was first noticed by Irish fans when he joined Real Madrid as a nine-year-old.
It was at Getafe he made his breakthrough making ten La Liga appearances as a teenager even as he finished school and progressed into the Ireland Under-19 squad.
He earned Ireland Under-21 call-ups too and was also eligible for Spain, France and Cameroon.
But while that was a focus in Ireland and led
Advertisement
ALWAYS IRELAND
He said: 'Cameroon no, France no, Spain no, always Ireland. It's always good that the coach makes the effort to go and see you, to speak with me.'
His debut came in the last minute as a replacement for Jason Knight on Tuesday night, though the midfielder admitted that it was not quite the debut of his dreams.
He said: 'I feel good, I am a bit disappointed with the result, it was not the way I wanted to make my debut but I will just keep working and continue on this way.
'I feel ok but the last minute, it's not the way that everybody wants to make their debut, it's high intensity, into the game and it's not easy.'
Advertisement
But the 21-year-old hopes that his debut can be the first of many caps having quickly got up to speed with what Hallgrímsson expects from his midfielders.
He said: 'He just told me I had to get the tactics, how the team works and I think I am catching the way the team play. We still have a bit of work to do but I am happy.
'The experience was good, the group has a lot of quality, I think if we can continue this way we can do good things.
'We are hungry, we are conscious that we are in a top World Cup group but with the work we are doing we can do it.'
Advertisement
Ireland's next games come in September with the beginning of the World Cup qualification campaign at home to Hungary and away to Armenia.
And the midfielder hopes that a good start to the season with Stade Reims, who were relegated last season, can keep him in Hallgrímsson's plans.
He also believes that next year is a big year for him when he expects to play regularly for Reims after a difficult settling in period in France.
He added: 'At the beginning it was not easy, I was alone, my family stayed in Madrid but in the end the club made things really easy so the time I adapted was quick and the culture is nice.
Advertisement
'It was a difficult moment to end the season like this (with relegation), but to come here is a bit of a distraction from the club, I had great days, now I can rest a bit and come back.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry make five changes to team to face Meath in final All-Ireland SFC Group 2 game
It was well known that Paudie Clifford, Paul Geaney, Barry Dan O'Sullivan and Diarmuid O'Connor would not be available for this game, with all four receiving treatment for specific injuries, and none of that quartet are included in the match day squad to face the Royal county in O'Connor Park. Clifford, Geaney and O'Sullivan all started the game against Cork but none of them played into the second half, while O'Connor wasn't part of the squad in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, with a groin injury given as the reason for his absence. There are two other changes for Saturday's encounter with Meath, with Dylan Casey and Brian Ó Beaglaoich not retaining their starting places in defence, and they are replaced by Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley respectively. Casey is named among the substitutes, which suggests his dropping to the bench is tactical, but Ó Beaglaoich is not on the named squad, which could indicate an injury issue. Dara Moynihan is also named on the match day squad for the first time this year. The Spa club man hasn't played with Kerry since last year's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Armagh, having spent the best part of the last year rehabbing a serious injury. As expected, Mark O'Shea comes into at midfield for Barry Dan O'Sullivan, whose knee injury is a serious one, and threatening to end his involvement for the result of the season. Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney are also handed starts in place of Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney, with some positional shuffling in the forward unit. Micheal Burns moves back out to the half forward line alongside Graham O'Sullivan and Sean O'Shea, who takes the no.11 jersey. Spillane is named at full forward, in a direct switch for Paul Geaney, whom he replaced at half time against Cork. Dylan Geaney is recalled to the starting 15 in place, and will start in one corner, with David Clifford in the other. A win or a draw for Kerry will secure top spot in Group 2 and send the Kingdom straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals a fortnight later. A win for Meath would see them finish top of the group and consign Kerry to a preliminary quarter-final with home advantage as second place finishers. Kerry team team play Meath ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore) 2. Paul Murphy (Rathmore) 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue) 4. Tom O'Sullivan (Dingle) 5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe) 6. Mike Breen (Beaufort) 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes) 8. Joe O'Connor (Austin Stacks) 9. Mark O'Shea (Dr Crokes) 10. Graham O'Sullivan (Dromind Pearses) 11. Seán O'Shea (Kenmare) 12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes) 13. David Clifford (Fossa) 14. Killian Spillane (Templenoe) 15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle) Substitutes Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Conor Geaney (Dingle), Evan Looney (Dr Crokes), Seán O'Brien (Beaufort), Tom Leo O;'Sullivan (Dingle), Darragh Lyne (Legion), Cillian Trant (St Senans), Ruairí Murphy (Listry), Damien Bourke (Na Gaeil), Dara Moynihan (Spa)
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Netherlands hit Ireland for six in FIH Pro League
Netherlands 6-2 Ireland The Netherlands proved why they are Olympic champions and World No 1 as they inflicted a second FIH Pro League defeat on Ireland in Amstelveen in as many days. A brace from Lisnagarvey's Ben Nelson gave Ireland a major positive to take forward into their remaining FIH Pro League games, however, after Wednesday's 2-0 loss. Three saves from Luke Roleston had helped to keep the score level at the end of the first quarter and both sides had had a penalty corner before Netherlands scored through the third, Jip Janssen drag-flicking past Roleston to break the deadlock. Terrence Pieters eventually got the Netherlands' second just before half-time. A ball across the circle popped up off an Irish stick, giving Pieters the opportunity to volley into the net. The Dutch started the second half quickly, with a penalty corner in the first minute providing them an early chance. The resulting effort was deflected into the body of Lee Cole, and the Netherlands were awarded a penalty stroke, albeit a controversial one, which Jip Janssen snuck past Roleston for the Netherlands' third. Ireland remained steadfast in their efforts, but a speculative call went the way of the home side again for a corner, which Pepijn van der Heijden flicked low into the net to add a fourth. The visitors ended the third quarter positively, mounting a series of attacks, the last of which saw brothers Ben and Matthew Nelson connect well down the right flank to make their way into the circle, but selflessness from Ben as he tried to find the final pass rather than taking on the shot at goal gave the Dutch the chance to clear. Ireland made an ideal start to the final quarter, Sean Murray making a great tackle in the middle of the park and finding Ben Nelson free in the circle to fire into the net and grab Ireland's first. But the Dutch responded, restoring their four-goal lead from open play through Joep Troost. Despite the game looking out of sight, there were still plenty of positive moments in the closing stages from Ireland. An audacious lob from Ali Empey looked destined for the net but hit the side netting instead, followed by a good interchange from Ben Pasley and Adam McAllister forcing the Dutch into more defensive duties. Ben Nelson grabbed his second goal of the game sneaking the ball over Visser following a good crash ball, rewarding Ireland for their continued positive play. But the Dutch scored the final goal of the game right on the final whistle. Speaking after the game Ben Nelson said: "Playing against the top teams in the world, the Olympic Champions; it's always going to be a difficult game in their own backyard. "It's our first two matches in a block of eight, I think we need to just keep pushing on from now, take the positives from this game, see the areas we need to work on, and then push on to the next six matches." Ireland Men's Head Coach Mark Tumilty added: "It's hard to be positive after a 6-2 defeat, but we didn't deserve to lose by that margin. We created better opportunities in the first half and yet found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time." Discussing some of the umpiring decisions, Tumilty said: "I thought we should have been awarded a stroke in the first half but ended up losing our video referral. The stroke they were awarded should not have been, Luke Roleston was behind Lee Cole on the goal line. I thought those decisions were shocking. I expect decisions to be correct." Tumilty's side will travel to Antwerp next where they will begin their final stage of the FIH Pro League with an encounter with Belgium on Saturday at 2.30pm Irish time.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Netherlands prove their class with big win over Ireland in second match of Amstelveen double-header
Ireland started nervously, with an early defensive error offering the Dutch a chance that goalkeeper Luke Roleston saved well. They soon settled, and Ben Nelson's reverse-stick effort was well blocked by the Dutch defense. Ireland nearly struck first during a strong spell of possession. Ben Pasley's lifted ball across goal found Alistair Empey, who came close to scoring, but Dutch debutant Mauritz Visser produced a fine save. The Netherlands earned the first penalty corner of the match late in the opening quarter, forcing Roleston into two sharp saves to keep the game scoreless. Ireland continued to apply pressure in the second quarter with an effective press that disrupted Dutch build-up play. A penalty corner which could potentially have been a penalty stroke after a heavy tackle on Adam McAllister, gave Ireland a big chance but Lee Cole's shot was well defended. The Dutch responded quickly. A penalty corner saw Jip Janssen break the deadlock with a drag flick past Roleston. Moments later, another Dutch corner was well cleared, but a deflected cross shortly after allowed Terrance Pieters to volley home their second before half-time. The hosts came out fast in the second stanza, winning a penalty corner within a minute. A deflection off Lee Cole led to a controversial penalty stroke, which Janssen converted for 3-0. Despite Ireland's continued effort, the Netherlands added a fourth through Pepijn van der Heijden, who fired low from another penalty corner. Ireland finished the third quarter strongly. A promising move from brothers Ben and Matthew Nelson down the right side nearly paid off, but a pass instead of a shot allowed the Dutch to clear the danger. The visitors also started the final quarter brightly when Sean Murray intercepted in midfield and found Ben Nelson in the circle, who finished confidently to make it 4-1. However, the Netherlands hit back immediately through Joep Troost to restore the four-goal cushion. Even with the result beyond doubt, Ireland showed attacking intent in the closing stages. Ali Empey came close with a clever lob that hit the side netting, and a flowing move involving Pasley and McAllister forced more defensive work from the hosts. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Ben Nelson capped a strong individual performance with his second goal, cleverly lifting the ball over Visser. But the Dutch had the final say, scoring on the final whistle to secure a 6-2 win. Speaking after the game, goalscorer Ben Nelson said: 'Playing against the top teams in the world, the Olympic Champions; it's always going to be a difficult game in their own backyard. "It's our first two matches in a block of eight, I think we need to just keep pushing on from now, take the positives from this game, see the areas we need to work on, and then push on to the next six matches.' Head coach Mark Tumilty questioned some of the refereeing, adding 'It's hard to be positive after a 6-2 defeat, but we didn't deserve to lose by that margin. We created better opportunities in the first half and yet found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time.' 'I thought we should have been awarded a stroke in the first half but ended up losing our video referral. The stroke they were awarded should not have been, Luke Roleston was behind Lee Cole on the goal line. I thought those decisions were shocking. I expect decisions to be correct.' Ireland will travel to Antwerp next where they will begin their final stage of the FIH Pro League with an encounter against Belgium on Saturday, June 14 at 2:30pm Irish time.
