How Irish football is developing on the international stage

Irish footballers have always punched above their weight on the international stage, and the best have always been able to go head-to-head with any of the titans of their era, with Roy Keane, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and even more recently, Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher performing heroics in between the sticks for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Although Ireland has a rich sporting culture, and many top sports stars are often torn between traditional Gaelic games and soccer, the Irish squad still has a healthy blend of quality, experience and upcoming talent.

More exposure on the world stage

The dynamics of how people interact with their favourite sports have changed so significantly over the last 20 years that it’s helped to bring more eyes to Irish football and footballers. Sites like YouTube are accessible to Irish fans who live all over the world, and to international fans who want to understand the Irish game better, and it helps to place some of the top names in a brighter limelight.

Other industries that run alongside professional sports have also helped to boost sports in Ireland. Gambling is a significant part of Irish culture, with many enjoying bets on horse racing, Gaelic football, and popular leagues like the EPL and European leagues. Finding the best available betting sites in Ireland is essential for many fans, and well established review platforms like Irishluck.ie make this easier by offering expert insights. Irishluck provides recommendations on top betting sites in Ireland, covering quality streaming, promotions, and competitive odds, making it simpler for fans to find trusted platforms and maximize their experience. This support from betting platforms further fuels the popularity of sports across the country.

EPL stars

The Premier League remains the prime destination for young Irish footballers looking to make a name for themselves. Over the years, players such as Roy Keane and Denis Irwin have helped to bring international awareness to Irish football. More recently, players like Séamus Coleman have paved the way for the next generation of Irish footballing stars, helping the country prosper on the world stage.

Jake O’Brien recently completed a big-money move to Everton, and the young Irishman credited Coleman – the ROI and Everton captain – as one of the main reasons he chose the Toffees.

Just across the park, as we mentioned in our introduction, Caoimhín Kelleher is waiting in the wings for his chance to take on Allison as Liverpool’s goalkeeper. However, there are increasing calls for him to move away from Anfield to get some more playing time, and he was subject to a Nottingham Forest bid in the summer, so that could potentially become his next destination.

Another name looking to spearhead the next generation of Irish talent is young Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. Despite being only 19, he propelled himself into the footballing headlines when he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United last year, but he has struggled to replicate this form over the last few months.

Developing on an international stage

It’s vital that as many ROI players as possible are getting game time in the Premier League. As it is widely considered the highest level of club football in the world, it means that those Irish players who are constantly appearing and making a name for themselves can, ideally, fulfil their potential.

With the greatest respect to the Irish domestic league, it’s a level below English football. So, for Irish football to continue developing on the world stage, it needs as many key squad players plying their trade in the top domestic leagues as possible. While we might have homed in on the EPL today, Troy Parrott is another example of a precocious Irish talent making waves in domestic European football.

There must be a blend of Irish footballers getting regular playing time alongside some of the top players in Europe, but equally, there are players like Parrott who go and prove they have what it takes to score in other domestic European leagues.

Obstacles to overcome

Many Irish football fans have complained for years that the funding for the sport at domestic grassroots level isn’t anywhere near where it should be. Although there have been improvements to this recently, and the biggest clubs in Europe often hold regular recruitment sessions and send scouts to the top Irish clubs, England has proved that investing in the grassroots game can pay dividends.

Despite some recent grumblings that English football is struggling because the sheer amount of money involved in the domestic game stunts the development of English coaches – which has led to the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as their head coach – it feels like a bit of an overreach. The players they’ve brought through highlight how much it can pay off if there’s good investment early on, and it’s something the Irish FA should take note of.

Final thoughts

When weighing up the negatives against the pros, Irish football is still in a good place at the moment. Premier League clubs are snapping up talented young Irish players for big fees. With Jake O’Brien and Evan Ferguson leading the way for the next generation, it feels like Ireland will maintain its standing on the international stage. Sure, there could be more funding, but Irish football has been in much worse states over the years than it is currently.