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Ireland may not have been at the World Cup in Qatar, but some Irish fans are confident they’ll go beyond Argentina in tonight’s final, thanks to the Irish connection of one of their players.
Alexis McAllister had only made two appearances for Argentina so far this year, but has impressed since returning to the national team in March.
The 23-year-old Brighton midfielder has since made 11 appearances for Lionel Scallone’s side, five of which have come in Qatar.
McAllister opened the scoring in Argentina’s 2-0 group stage win over Poland (Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)He missed Argentina’s opening group defeat to Saudi Arabia, but has started five games since then and is expected to be back in the starting XI against France today.
Obviously, a surname like McAllister stands out on a team sheet that includes names like Messi, Alvarez and Martinez, so what’s the story behind his legacy?
Co Antrim roots
Former GAA president Aoghan Ó Fearhail recently revealed on Twitter that the McAllister family originated in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, before moving to the village of Donabete, about 10 miles north of Dublin.
The Irish Times adds that Mac Allister’s great-grandfather Donabatt traveled to South America in 1868.
In his tweet, Ó Fearghail shared a picture of himself with McAllister’s cousin, Ricardo ‘Dicky’ McAllister, former president of the Buenos Aires Hurling Club in Hurlingham.
Dickie Mc Allister, BuneosAires, receives his International GAA Award, 2018. His family originated in Cushendall, Co Antrim, moving to Donabate, Dublin in the 19th century. Dick’s ancestor went to Argentina in 1868, his cousin Alex is playing for Argentina in the World Cup in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/gBkNSZPjO2
— Aogán Ó Fearghail (@aoganofearghail) December 9, 2022
The photo was taken in February 2018 when Dickie received an international award at the GAA President’s Awards.
Speaking to RTÉ News this week, Dickie explained that Alexis’ grandfather moved from Pergamino in Buenos Aires to La Pampa in central Argentina.
Meanwhile, BBC Northern Ireland spoke to residents of Cushendall, where the Mac Allisters originated and where the name is very common.
“The place comes with them and there are two or three different ways to spell it,” said Fergus McAllister of the local GAA club.
“Here’s McAllister with one L, McAllister with two L’s, [Alexis’] It is spelled Mac Allister, but that is its Gaelic spelling.
“If I were to write my name in the game, this is what I would write.”
Sports family
Alexis’ father Carlos was also a footballer who played for Argentino Juniors and Boca Juniors.
He also made three appearances for Argentina, appearing alongside Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone.
In 2004, he told Argentine sports magazine El Gráfico how he had lost touch with his Irish roots but still hoped to see Ireland one day.
Alex’s father Carlos McAllister pictured in 2016 (Image: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)Alexis’ brothers, Francis and Kevin, are also footballers who play for Rosario and Argentino Juniors respectively.
Their uncle Patricio, brother of Carlos, was also a footballer, playing for clubs in Argentina, Mexico and Japan.
While he may not be wearing green, Irish fans will at least have someone to cheer for if Alexis takes to the pitch at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar today.
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