ARTHUR DUFFY reports

Indeed, Higgins found himself at the centre of a major controversy three years ago when, having played for the Northern Ireland Under-21’s in a friendly fixture against the Republic - which was also at Mourneview Park - he made it clear afterwards that he did not wish to be selected any longer.

And while he quickly disappeared from the underage international arena, Republic boss and former Derry City manager, Pat Fenlon, last year selected Higgins to play against Slovakia at Dalymount Park in November.

However, having learned of Higgins’ selection, it’s understood the N. Ireland Football Association objected to his inclusion in the Republic’s squad and the central midfielder had to be withdrawn.

Since then, it’s believed negotiations have been going on behind the scenes involving both the IFA and FAI, with Higgins at the centre of the controversy, and it would appear the powers that be have now sorted the problem out.

Fenlon, therefore, immediately named the player in the squad for the Under-23 game against N. Ireland next week and Higgins is hopeful that he will make his first international appearance for the ‘south.’

Commenting before last night’s League Cup game against Finn Harps at the Brandywell, the 23-year-old said he was delighted to have been included in the Republic squad which is totally dominated by players representing clubs in the eircom League.

“I think it would be nice to be in a position to look back after my career is over and claim to have played at international level, albeit at underage,” he said.

“When I was forced to withdraw from the team which played Slovakia in Dublin - a match the Republic won 2-0 - I obviously thought that was it, but to have been named in the squad to play N. Ireland has given me a great personal boost,” added the former Coventry City player.

While he claimed he was not privy to how the problem had actually been resolved, he was simply delighted to discover his name on Pat Fenlon’s latest list.

“I honestly don’t know what has happened behind the scenes, but I’m glad to learn that any difficulties have been resolved and I’ve been cleared to play.

“Hopefully, I’ll be selected in the team that starts the game and if that is the case, then I would obviously consider it a great honour to be called-up for Under-23 international duty,” he concluded.

Second in Group

The Republic currently lie in second position in their Under-23 Championship group following the win over Slovakia and hopes are high that Fenlon’s squad will qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Higgins will now join former team-mate, Killian Brennan, in the squad after the left winger netted one of the goals in the 2-0 victory in the opening match.

The full Under-23 squad is - Barry Murphy (Shamrock Rovers), Brendan Clarke (St. Pat’s Athletic), Conor Kenna (UCD), Ger O’Brien (Shamrock Rovers), Joseph O’Cearuill (St.