Who are NI’s uncapped teens Graham and O’Neill?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Graham and O’Neill have been included in the squad to face Guinea and FranceByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalistPublished29 May 2026, 08:06 BSTUpdated 1 hour agoNorthern Ireland’s World Cup dream may have been ended by Italy in March but the squad for June’s internationals suggests Michael O’Neill has one eye on the future.Friendlies against Guinea and France have given O’Neill the chance to bring in younger faces, with uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill included in the squad.Fresh off the back of signing a new four-year contract extension with NI, Michael O’Neill reported this window presents an opportunity to “accelerate players”.Of course, there are no guarantees either will establish themself in the squad, but it does provide an opportunity for them to showcase what they can offer at this level.”It’s difficult to say they’re ready to be senior international players. We have to be mindful of that,” reported O’Neill.”They’ve had limited minutes at first-team level but they’re in our pathway and we have to protect that and we have to show them the route to playing for ourselves and being a senior international, and that they’re highly regarded within our pathway as well.”There are players that I could include instead of those younger players. If I’m honest, I don’t feel that they’re playing the club football at a high enough level that would affect the starting 11 at this minute in time.”So for me, the emphasis has to be on using some of the squad in terms of development.”But who are the youngsters hoping to help solve Northern Ireland’s long-standing struggles in the final third? BBC Sport NI has had a look.Braiden GrahamImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Graham has scored 12 goals this year in the PL2 Graham, 18, has caught the eye of fans both on Merseyside and across the Irish Sea following an impressive period in the Everton academy.The forward has scored 16 goals this season for the under-21 side, who finished 18th in Premier League 2. Graham began his career at Irish Premiership side Linfield and became the youngest player to make a senior appearance for the first team at 15 years and 137 days.After making the move to Everton in July 2024, he signed his first professional deal four months later.His performances at youth level have attracted the attention of first-team manager David Moyes and he is tipped to make an appearance soon after being included on the bench for the Toffees’ trip to Nottingham Forest in December.What could ‘natural goalscorer’ Graham bring to NI?A lack of attacking threat has long been an issue for Northern Ireland. Graham’s former boss at the Blues – David Healy – lit up the pitch when he wore the number nine shirt for NI, while Kyle Lafferty played a pivotal role for the side when they qualified for the Euros in 2016.However, despite the current youthful team showing signs of real promise, the recurring issue of lack of strikers has resurfaced.Could Graham be the answer?The teenager finished the season third in the PL2 goalscoring charts and impressed too during his time with Linfield.Graham’s lack of senior football suggests he has plenty of development ahead of him, but he is clearly considered a player for the future. “One thing that Braiden always has done through the ranks and at all the age groups at Linfield, including the first team, was score goals,” Healy told BBC Sport NI.”He’s a threat in the box, he finds himself in space, technically he’s very good and he’s probably the most natural goalscorer that I’ve ever seen in terms of finding himself in the space and knowing how to score the goals.”I’ve seen Braiden play from when he was 13 and he used to score five or six goals near enough every other game. He has that ability and he has the confidence.”Ceadach O’NeillImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, O’Neill scored twice during his Arsenal U18 debut Graham’s former Blues team-mate O’Neill has also been included among the attacking options. O’Neill moved to Arsenal from Linfield in April 2025 and has since signed a professional contract.A regular for the Premier League champions’ under-18 side, O’Neill has yet to make his senior debut but trained with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad and was on the bench for the FA Cup ties against Wigan Athletic and Southampton.At international level, he scored during the U19 Euro qualifying game against Kazakhstan in March and also featured in the recent U21 Euro qualifying campaign.What could ‘brave’ O’Neill offer?O’Neill’s versatility as a winger, centre-forward or attacking midfielder is a huge bonus for Northern Ireland. He has also shown leadership capabilities early in his career by captaining underage sides.With George Saville and Brad Lyons absent, and Ethan Galbraith in the squad despite not featuring since the play-off defeat in March, Michael O’Neill may give the Arsenal youngster an opportunity. “Ceadach’s so blessed with two brilliant feet, he has so much ability,” Healy reported. “Arsenal has been incredible for him. He opens up defenders, he’s brave on the ball for somebody so young, plays in numerous positions and technically is very good.”So, given the opportunity and given the minutes, I’ve no doubt the two of them [O’Neill and Graham] will thrive in and around the environment. It’s something Michael does pretty well and the senior players in the ranks will certainly help the younger players.”Related topicsFootball
