although born in england, holland qualified to play for the republic of ireland through his grandmother who hailed from county monaghan. he made his international debut on 9 october 1999 in an away euro 2000 qualifier against macedonia, playing the last five minutes as a substitute for mark kennedy. his first goal came on his fifth cap, the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with portugal on 7 october 2000 in qualification for the 2002 fifa world cup. holland captained the side in three internationals, the first on his 28th cap, a 2–0 friendly defeat to scotland.