Hoban & Cusack receive International Call-Ups

Limerick FC players Mark Hoban and Evan Cusack have been called into the Republic of Ireland Under-17 International squad for a friendly next week.

The pair received their call-up from Head Coach Tom Mohan ahead of a friendly at the AUL Complex in Dublin on Wednesday next, 25 September, at 2pm.
 

“It’s a really good sign and shows the potential that is in the group,” Limerick Under-19 manager Declan Farmer said. “Mark and Evan were both born in 1997 so they are able to play for three years at Under-19 level.”
 

Club Chairman Pat O’Sullivan has also spoken about the international recognition that the Superblues received over the summer and he says that having the right structure in place is paying off.

“There is a lot of talk about Ireland at the moment and young players and that we need to do something about our underage structure in Ireland,” he said.

“I have invited some of the people who write about it down here to see our setup. We’re now two-and-a-half, almost three years, into our underage programme. I’m talking particularly about our Under-19s, seven of whom have been up and down to our senior team.

“For the first time in the history of Limerick soccer, we had nine players chosen during the summer to go to international squads.

“We brought our Under-19s to England last year just to expose them to what goes on in the UK. The first game was called off at half-time because of the weather but we were trailing to Bolton Wanderers and then Blackpool beat us comprehensively.
 

“We went back this year and beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 and Blackpool 4-0. That is despite the fact that we had four of our Under-19s away with the Ireland Under-18s on a training camp in England.
 

“What I’m saying is that as a club, in our own small way, we know what we’re doing here.
 

“While physically not big, technically our players are streets ahead in lots of stuff. Two of the players have gone back to Huddersfield because they liked them so much. They went over for a week’s coaching.
 

“There is so much talent in this area but if it doesn’t have the structure it will never have the chance to express itself.
 

“But if it does have the structure and the support, from our management team all the way up – with the gym, diet, sports scientists, off-field and off-season – it can reap rewards.
 

“You obviously have to have the right type of young man and they’re a credit to their parents, clubs and communities, and that has been acknowledged in England by everybody.
 

“For those who say there’s nothing in Ireland then come to Limerick and look at what we’re doing here.”