BILL HAYES became Town’s first Republic of Ireland international in 1946 – after making four appearances for Northern Ireland earlier in his career.

Before the War, players born in the Republic could appear for the North in the Home Internationals.

And Cork-born right-back Hayes, who joined Town in 1932, figured against England and Scotland in 1937 and the same two the year after.

His Republic bow was against England in 1946, and the year after he played against Portugal.

The last four of Pat Saward’s 18 Eire appearances came after the Cobh-born midfielder joined Town from Aston Villa in 1961.

He had begun his career at Millwall in 1951, joining Villa in 1955 and leaving Town to become a coach at Coventry in 1963.

Saward was the manager of Brighton between 1970-73.

Town’s third and final Republic cap – so far – was Mick Meagan.

The Dubliner was signed by Everton in 1952 and was called up in 1961, going on to make 17 outings for the Republic.

He arrived at Leeds Road as part of the 1964 deal which took Ray Wilson in the opposite direction, spending four years at the club before moving to Halifax.

Meagan, who played at full-back or in midfield, had made four international appearances when he joined Town, adding 12 more during his time at Leeds Road, his 17th cap coming in 1970, when he was at Drogheda.

Meagan had a short spell in charge of the Republic in the early Seventies.