The Fountain of Youth

Welcome to a forgotten land. Where the weeds grow out of disused plumbing on the peripheries of the pitch and bird crap halts you from planting your rear end on the weather beaten wooden seating.

‘This is Bishopstown’ might not have the same indelible ring to it as Anfield, but at least the team playing here are regularly winning games.

On the cusp of a magical double success, the Cork City U19s are promoting the new found theory that our most promising of youngsters can stay in Ireland a little longer.

These lads aren't being forced to jump ship to an English academy side now, with many choosing to stay and finish their schooling while playing in the new U19 national league.

For some it is proving a worthy punt. Take Cork's star striker Danny Morrissey for example. He will sit his Leaving Cert in June and, if for some reason, he fails to make a living from playing in years to come, he will at least have an education behind him.

Can the dozens of Irish kids released from clubs cross-channel every year say the same? No, many of them can't, and in the long term it is proving costly for many.

Instead, players like Morrissey are playing in a league that is, despite the small crowds going to games, attracting some very interested scouts.

One recent game in the league attracted half a dozen representatives from across the water. International recognition is also on the menu, though that is partly down to Paul Doolin's acknowledgement of domestic football.

Morrissey, along with fellow Cork teammate Jason Forde, was part of the squad which travelled to Turkey with the national team at the end of February, proving that the league's image is improving for our burgeoning talents. Robert Lehane and John Kavanagh also had a green shirt on them in an U18 schools’ international recently.

However, it would be terribly remiss to think that learning your trade in the league is the first choice of the majority. The lure of an English club seeking your signature is an attractive proposal for a teenager but the perception now is that there is a second viable option for the next generation - an opportunity that also ensures they can finish off their second level education, something that parents will like hearing.  

Talking to the father of a player in the U19 league recently, it was clear that while he wanted his son to progress in his footballing career, school is the priority. The player has been training with the first team at the club but isn’t sitting his Leaving Cert until next year and the manager of the first team took the player aside recently.

It sounded more like a one-way communication than a chat between the two but the message from the boss was clear: do well at school or you’re not going to be involved. It is an arrangement that can only benefit all concerned.

Cork travel to Shelbourne on Sunday knowing that a point will guarantee them the league – though they have another chance against Wexford Youths at home next weekend if they are defeated for just the third time this season. Following that they then play Dundalk away in the Enda McGuill Cup final.

But aside from the Leesiders, there are also several other fantastic sides. St Patrick’s Athletic are attractive to watch, while Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United also have some fantastic ability in their ranks.

The football is nice on the eye - far more aesthetically pleasing than some of the Premier Division games I have witnessed so far this season. More often than not the ball is kept on the deck and some of the senior teams in the country could take a lesson or two from their underage side with regards the tempo.

Football is being played like it should here. Seldom will you see the ball hammered onto an adjacent road, while you will witness an aimless hoof as often as a Monaghan United win so far this term.

Admittedly, I wasn’t a major fan of the A Championship but having this league in place is a much more promising venture for the league and hopefully it comes back next season even stronger.

There are only two weekends left in the season, do your best to see your side’s next generation before the season closes. You won’t be disappointed.

So Bohemians and Limerick were visited since we last met, along with a few trips to Turner’s Cross and that means 2393km has already been covered after seven weeks. A bit ahead of schedule, aren’t we? Before we meet next I’ll be in Tolka Park and also at the Cross twice. By the way, why is petrol so expensive? Also, that  figureonly includes senior matches –another 400km could be added if U19 games were included.