International platform to showcase next generation
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It won’t be long now before the International Challenge Trophy rolls around and presents the best young players in the league with a chance to impress.
The ultimate high for most footballers is representing their country, which is why the creation of the Republic of Ireland U-23 team should be lauded.
Having come close to reaching the final two years, the Irish team will be in action again next month when they take on England C. As well as taking on an old rival, it is a match that offers a chance for a selection of Airtricity League players to taste international football.
In the current Ireland senior team for a training camp taking place in June there are five players who previously spent time with clubs in the domestic game. Okay, Shane Long and David Meyler were not exactly regulars for Cork City, but they started their football education on Leeside before moving on.
The Airtricity League needs to have more players graduate through to international football and it is great to see the likes of Brian Murphy, Stephen Ward and Keith Fahey earn call-up’s. But what about the next generation?
Well that is why the U-23 team is so important. Paul Doolin was been tasked with picking the best players under the age of 23 to compete in the upcoming tournament and he is eager to get started.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for young players in the league to represent their country and to test themselves against a different team,” Doolin told Insider’s View.
“It is a good for the development of the younger players, especially those who are not involved with a full-time team as they will be experiencing something new.
“Obviously we want to win the games that we play in, but for the players it is a chance for them to play for their country and maybe push on from it.”
What Doolin means by saying “push on” is that the tournament may act as a shop window for many players with scouts from several teams due to be in attendance.
From the last U-23 squad, players like Seamus Coleman (Everton), Gary Deegan (Coventry City), James O’Shea (Birmingham City), Dave Mooney (Reading) and Conor Sammon (Kilmarnock) all earned moves abroad to big clubs.
While the Airtricity League should never be seen as a production line for British clubs to cherry pick the best talent from, it is inevitable that many players who do stand out will be snapped up.
By playing for the U-23’s they will improve their chances of catching the eye of a scout or a manager, but also of adding international gloss to their CV – something which almost every player craves. “It is a great way for players to play for Ireland. I was part of many League of Ireland representative teams years ago and it was a great experience,’ said Doolin.
“I got to go to places like Trinidad & Tobago and Singapore, but it was the games themselves that stand out most as you get to test yourself against players from other leagues.
“Hopefully the players that we pick will make the most of it. I’m sure they will enjoy it, but there are some tough matches starting with England in the RSC.”
The RSC in Waterford may not exactly be classed as an exotic location, but whatever the venue international football is a privilge that many players never get to experience.
As the domestic game continues to grow stronger, so does the international future for the next generation, who aim to prove that they are good enough to survive at the top.
The ultimate high for most footballers is representing their country, which is why the creation of the Republic of Ireland U-23 team should be lauded.
Having come close to reaching the final two years, the Irish team will be in action again next month when they take on England C. As well as taking on an old rival, it is a match that offers a chance for a selection of Airtricity League players to taste international football.
In the current Ireland senior team for a training camp taking place in June there are five players who previously spent time with clubs in the domestic game. Okay, Shane Long and David Meyler were not exactly regulars for Cork City, but they started their football education on Leeside before moving on.
The Airtricity League needs to have more players graduate through to international football and it is great to see the likes of Brian Murphy, Stephen Ward and Keith Fahey earn call-up’s. But what about the next generation?
Well that is why the U-23 team is so important. Paul Doolin was been tasked with picking the best players under the age of 23 to compete in the upcoming tournament and he is eager to get started.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for young players in the league to represent their country and to test themselves against a different team,” Doolin told Insider’s View.
“It is a good for the development of the younger players, especially those who are not involved with a full-time team as they will be experiencing something new.
“Obviously we want to win the games that we play in, but for the players it is a chance for them to play for their country and maybe push on from it.”
What Doolin means by saying “push on” is that the tournament may act as a shop window for many players with scouts from several teams due to be in attendance.
From the last U-23 squad, players like Seamus Coleman (Everton), Gary Deegan (Coventry City), James O’Shea (Birmingham City), Dave Mooney (Reading) and Conor Sammon (Kilmarnock) all earned moves abroad to big clubs.
While the Airtricity League should never be seen as a production line for British clubs to cherry pick the best talent from, it is inevitable that many players who do stand out will be snapped up.
By playing for the U-23’s they will improve their chances of catching the eye of a scout or a manager, but also of adding international gloss to their CV – something which almost every player craves. “It is a great way for players to play for Ireland. I was part of many League of Ireland representative teams years ago and it was a great experience,’ said Doolin.
“I got to go to places like Trinidad & Tobago and Singapore, but it was the games themselves that stand out most as you get to test yourself against players from other leagues.
“Hopefully the players that we pick will make the most of it. I’m sure they will enjoy it, but there are some tough matches starting with England in the RSC.”
The RSC in Waterford may not exactly be classed as an exotic location, but whatever the venue international football is a privilge that many players never get to experience.
As the domestic game continues to grow stronger, so does the international future for the next generation, who aim to prove that they are good enough to survive at the top.
About Gareth Maher
Gareth Maher is an award-winning journalist who has covered domestic, international and women's football for the best part of a decade. Previously a columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Football Editor for Setanta Sports, … View Full Profile