The 22 year old winger has the same agent as Graham Barrett and Michael Doyle is under contract at the Irish champions until 2006 and was involved in the Republic Of Ireland's senior squad for their game against Greece in 2002.
An un-named City spokesman is alleged to have said: "The gaffer has been told a lot about Hoolahan and wants to have a look at him. No disrespect to the Eircom League but it makes sense to have watched against top quality opposition."