The return of club football has thrown up many narratives of Irish interest with Troy Parrott’s stunning start to life in Spain making the most noise.
He is not the only Irish player going about their business exceptionally this season. Defender John Egan has been excellent at the top end of English football.
Egan’s return to prominence comes at a welcome time for Ireland, for whom fixtures with Kosovo and Israel await later this month. The Nations League marks the beginning of their long path to Euro 2028.
The veteran Egan, who will be 34 next month, has been outstanding for The Tigers on their return to the top flight.
13 October 2025; John Egan during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Hull are the only side yet to concede a goal in the Premier League so far, a baffling statistic given their nine year absence.
He has been a stalwart for Hull, starting all three of their PL ties this season with two of those clean sheets coming against Champions League calibre opposition.
It has been a brilliant few weeks for him, having also signed a contract extension at the MKM Stadium which could keep him there until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The wins over Manchester United and Coventry City and a draw with Aston Villa have been testament to his defensive efforts and he picked up the Player of the Match award in that scoreless tie.
Hull City have played 3 matches since being back in the Premier League, they haven’t conceded a goal yet
John Egan has played every minute in their defence, won POTM vs Villa yesterday
Manchester United, Coventry City and Aston Villa have all been stopped by the Corkman
🇮🇪🐅 pic.twitter.com/OavNiHH6s1
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) September 6, 2026
He is a key component there, also starting 39 of City’s 46 regular league games during their promotion push. Egan brought leadership at the back, alongside some no-nonsense defending which proved key in their successful campaign.
Egan had endured a three-year Premier League exile – he was relegated with Sheffield United before a brief spell with Burnley in the Championship preceded his Hull switch – but it has not shown.
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His influence at international level waned during that time and his presence in the Irish XI diminished too.
The most recent of his 38 caps came against North Macedonia in March, and in each of the last two calendar years he has only featured once for his country. His sole 2025 cameo came in the 86th minute away to Portugal.
16 November 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, left, celebrates with players, from left, Nathan Collins, Mark Travers and John Egan after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Nevertheless his return into the wider squad alongside fellow veteran Seamus Coleman, regardless of minutes on the pitch, had a galvanising effect as the pair brought experience and leadership following the loss to Armenia.
The Cork man will have undoubtedly caught the attention of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson for his on-field value this time however and he could shore up any looming defensive concerns.
Things look uncertain when it comes to the Irish defence after all.
Nathan Collins limped off for Brentford last weekend and the towering Leixlip man is a fitness doubt ahead of Ireland’s double-header. That calf strain, suffered against Sunderland, could rule him out of Ireland’s away days in Kosovo and Israel.
Defensive partner Dara O’Shea will be a shoe-in once he can stay fit at Ipswich on their PL return, while Liam Scales – adept at both left centre-back and further wide – enjoyed a goalscoring return with Celtic.
Jake O’Brien, however, has lacked minutes after falling out of Everton’s starting XI.
Egan’s fellow Corkonian has been an unused substitute in all four of Everton’s games this season, including a less glamorous League Cup meeting with Preston.
Egan, meanwhile, has hardly ever put a foot wrong for Ireland, and with uncertainty surrounding Collins and O’Brien in particular – the door looks to be ajar when it comes to his competitive return.
The clamour will only grow louder if Hull continue their fairytale run, something Egan would play a major part in if it is to come to fruition.
It is back to business as Hallgrímsson prepares his ascendant squad for what he hopes will be Euro 2028 participation and Egan could yet play his part.
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