Ritchie Branagan is not only following in his father's footsteps by carving out a career as a professional goalkeeper, but his first call-up to the Ireland Under-21 squad follows the career path of his father Keith, who represented Ireland in goal in 1997.
Ireland Under-21 manager Noel King announced a 19 man squad, including Branagan, for the upcoming U21 International friendly against Cyprus, which will take place on Wednesday, February 9 at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca.
19 year-old Branagan ‘Junior ‘ caught the eye of the FAI after breaking into the Bury starting eleven in November last year when he made his Football League debut.
And while the Ritchie and Keith Branagan story may draw comparisons with the goalkeeping father and son pairing of Peter and Kasper Schmeichel or the other Irish father and son pairing of Denis and Liam Irwin, the young keeper is determined to carve out his own successful career and wants to be talked about for his own exploits as he plots a path to the top.
Speaking about his Father Keith, Ritchie said : “He has been there for me throughout my scholarship and he does give me advice.
“I have got natural shot-stopping ability, like my dad, but I have a lot to work on. I am only 18 and I just want to progress so that when I get my chance I am ready.”
Keith Branagan, spent his most successful years at Bolton Wanderers where he experienced three promotions, played two seasons in the Premier League and played at Wembley in the 1995 League Cup final. Injury forced his retirement in 2002 while playing for Ipswich but he was lucky enough to earn one senior Irish international cap for Ireland when he played against Wales in a competitive friendly in Cardiff in 1997.
Only time will tell if Ritchie Branagan progresses to Irish senior international level and pulls on the No.1 shirt, just as his father once did.
Ireland and Wigan midfield sensation James McCarthy has revealed that he has resumed training and expects to be back in action by the end of January.
The 20-year-old is recovering from serious ligament damage suffered in the Premier League clash with Bolton in October last year.
"I can't wait to get back," the midfielder admitted to the club's official website.
"My biggest problem has been trying to do too much too quickly, and the physios are always having to tell me to slow down!
"I'm hoping to be back for the Arsenal game towards the end of the month. I'm not 100 per cent sure, but that's definitely the target I've set for myself.
"I've started kicking the ball and hopefully this week I'll get more involved in the rest of the training."
With Di Santo and Moses also on the road to recovery for Wigan, McCarthy believes all three players can make a big impact in the second half of the season.
"The manager has been saying it'll be like having three new signings, and hopefully we can all make an impact.
"We're sitting in the relegation zone now, where we definitely don't want to be, and we need to try and kick the team on."
Ireland midfielder James McCarthy was carried off the pitch today in what looks to be a severe ankle or ligament injury whilst playing for Wigan against Bolton at the DW stadium.
The 19 year old international sustained the injury when he was tackled from behind by Bolton's Fabrice Muamba, in the Premier League clash.
McCarthy received several minutes of treatment before being carried from the pitch, and was eventually taken to hospital for an x-ray.
McCarthy was expected to be named in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for next month's friendly clash against Norway in Dublin however that now seems unlikely due to the seriousness of the ankle injury.
Wigan Manager Roberto Martinez, speaking after the 1-1 draw, said that they will know the seriousness of the injury within the next 12 hours.
"He is going to the hospital now, and we will find out over the next 12 hours," Martinez said.
"His right ankle looks in a bad state, and we just hope that it is not as bad as we fear."
"It's a real shame, because he's been performing in a very special manner."
"When you look at the replay, he clearly gets his ankle first," said Martinez. "It's disappointing, it's from behind but the intent is to play the ball."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle, who has followed McCarthy's career as he came through the youth ranks at former club Hamilton, shared his Wigan counterpart's concern.
Coyle stated: "My thoughts are to make sure he's OK, because I've known him as a young kid progressing all the way through to where he is now and there's no doubt he's destined for a glittering career.
"Hopefully he's back very soon. Certainly from my position it looked an innocuous challenge. They both went to shut the ball."
A quick glance of Liam Irwin controlling a football confirms that the Ireland U-19 international is a chip off the old block.
So calm and composed in possession, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder has all the hallmarks you would expect from the son of former Manchester United and Ireland star Denis Irwin.
Denis' career started slowly -- he was released by Leeds United as a teenager -- but the Corkman went on to become one of the most decorated players in the English game.
Should Liam's dad ever be challenged to 'show us your medals', the chances are he would impress whoever is asking. His haul includes seven Premier League successes, a Champions League win, a Cup Winners Cup victory, three FA Cup triumphs, one League Cup, one Inter-continental Cup and one UEFA Super Cup.
Sean McCaffrey handed Irwin Jnr his Irish U-19 debut against the Ukraine last week.
"Dad gives me advice all the time and he just wants me to do well," said Liam.
"He has a go at me when I've not done well and I do try to listen to him. Obviously, I have to consider how much he did as a player himself.
"I've not got many memories of him playing for Ireland, but I remember some of the friendly games in Dublin.
"I was at the 1994 World Cup, but I really don't remember it because I was so young."
The 18-year-old, who is a central midfielder rather than a full-back, like his father, was delighted to finally make his debut for Ireland.
"Anybody would want to play on the international stage, but I never really thought about it until this season," he said.
"It felt different to an English club game. I had more time on the ball and I thought it went well."
After an unsuccessful trial at Manchester United, Liam ended up signing for Bolton and has progressed into the reserves.
The youngster's target this season is to do well enough to secure a professional contract at the end of the campaign.
"Owen Coyle hasn't spoken to me directly, but I got feedback that he was happy for me and said I deserved it.
"He saw me in the Youth Cup last season and apparently he's happy with how I'm doing," said Liam.
Ireland U-19 manager McCaffrey was impressed with Irwin Jnr's display against the Ukrainians.
"Liam was so neat and tidy with the ball. He has a great touch, great awareness and a great range of passing," said McCaffrey.
"He's a light wee cub, but I'm sure he will get stronger."
