St Pat's starlet Darragh Burns says his dream is to play for Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side after switching allegiance from Northern Ireland last month.
Raised in Stamullen in Meath, Burns represented Northern Ireland at underage level through his Belfast-born father having made waves at St Kevin's Boys in Dublin.
"It was Stephen Friel, the manager, (who made the approach)," said Burns, who later turned down the Republic's U17 manager Colin O'Brien.
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"Stephen was very good to me, he was like a father figure and really settled me in there.
"I felt for where I was in my football career, it was best to go with Northern Ireland. I was going to get a lot of international appearances, and I wanted to be noticed, so I don't regret any decision I made.
"When I played for Kevin's, you would have played against Linfield so I kind of knew a few of the lads and through Instagram you would talk and see how you're getting on.
"Jack Scott, who has come to Pat's now, was there. We got on very well. I've great memories with the North, great times."
Burns played for Northern Ireland at U17 and U19 level before switching allegiance.
Jim Crawford called him into Republic's U21 squad for the European Championship win in Sweden last month after he played for the under-20s against the Ireland Amateur side.
"I'm an Irish boy and I was happy to come back," Burns said. "I sat down with my Ma and my Da and we agreed it was probably the best time to come back.
"My Da didn't care who I played for. He's a Catholic, not that it matters, but it was a family decision.
"We all sat down and I sat with the staff here as well (at St Pat's) and they were just like, 'do what makes you happy' and I wanted to come back.
"It's good to be back playing for the Republic and I look forward to the future."
Burns is one of the hottest properties in the Premier Division and has his eye on impressing Kenny, with the U21 June qualifiers next on his agenda.
"That's every kid's dream, I got a taste of it playing in the Aviva in the FAI Cup final," he said.
"You're just thinking if you pull on the green jersey here. My family was a big support in the Cup final, if they could be there watching me for Ireland, that would be a dream come true."
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