Crossword Genius

Title given to half of squads in this country (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

esquire

'title' is the definition.
(title for a gentleman)

'to half of squads in this country' is the wordplay.
'to half of' indicates taking half.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'this country' becomes 'eire' (Eire is an example).
'squads' halved is 'squ'.
'squ' placed within 'eire' is 'ESQUIRE'.

'given' is the link.

(Other definitions for esquire that I've seen before include "Title of respect, placed after a man's name" , "Queries (anag.)" , "Male title on an envelope" , "Title of courtesy for a man" , "Courtesy title for a gentleman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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