\n<\/p>\n
The left-sided player recounted some of his family history which made being drafted into the Irish squad special.<\/p>\n
“My grandfather was a Dubliner who emigrated to the US in 1958, started a family in the US, and I was born in New York City.<\/p>\n
“This was always a dream of mine, to represent this country, to do it for my grandfather. We’ve got a really strong Irish connection and roots.<\/p>\n
“My dad has always been a proud descendant of an Irishman and he’s always instilled those values in us. <\/p>\n
“My dad and my mum are super proud and I just want to do a job for them because they have invested so much in my career process.”<\/p>\n
O’Toole’s sister Jillian plays for Treaty United in the Irish Women’s Premier Division and she will return to Ireland to support her brother this week.<\/p>\n
“My fiancee and my aunt will be making the trip over and my sister will be coming back as well – her season just ended a couple of weeks ago. <\/p>\n
“I’ve been back [to Ireland] quite a bit. My sister plays football in Limerick, so I was here over the summer watching a match of hers and just always love my visits here.<\/p>\n
“My real interest [in playing for the Republic of Ireland] started growing a couple of years ago as I advanced with New York City and became a mainstay starter with the club.<\/p>\n
“That’s when the opportunity rang a bell and the discussions started back in February, I had conversation over the phone with Heimir.<\/p>\n
“He coached one of my current club team-mates at Jamaica previously so he contacted me and from there it was just about finding the right moment and it couldn’t be a bigger moment for it, so [I’m] really happy.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n