Brexit is helping Irish football

Brexit is helping Irish football - here is the proof

Never before has a de-facto League of Ireland X1 appeared in a major tournament.

They travel to that tournament in Hungary more in expectation than hope, O’Brien refusing to place any “limits” on how deep they may go in the tournament, remembering when Brian Kerr’s Irish Under 16s etched their name onto the trophy way back in 1998.

But that squad was top-heavy with English-based players as that was the culture then and that was the way things remained until Brexit kicked in and an age restriction was placed on any Irish kid getting employed by a British club.

Now disallowed from signing for a Scottish or English team until their 18th birthday, the upshot is Ireland's young footballers are benefitting from an extra couple of years of home cooking.

But the alleged downside is the academy system here is way inferior to the structured English one.

And that was what we all believed - until O’Brien’s squad of League of Ireland players went and qualified for the 16-team European championships, changing perceptions overnight.

“Our underage leagues have become far more competitive,” said O’Brien yesterday after naming his squad.

“We have seen players progress as their contact time at the clubs has gone up and as the (standards of home-based) games have improved.

“Better again, when (League of Ireland) clubs see players with high potential, they start challenging them within their own structure, whether that's moving them up an age range to play, or bringing them in to train with their first-team.

“Technically we have seen a big leap (forward) with the players. Their football fitness is improving, so immediately you do see differences. The sporting implications of Brexit, for parents as well, is the creation of a better choice for that 15 or 16-year-old child.

“For some players, who are very mature, going abroad is the right option for them. But (that scenario works best) if the club they go to fits the player.

“The alternative option is for a player to stay at home, get their education, complete their Leaving Cert, and reach the age where they can decide what to do, stay here or try their luck in England.”

For some observers, a fear exists that a delay in exposing Irish players to full-time English academies may stunt their development. O’Brien, however, disagrees with that assertion, saying: “We are good enough here.

“Yes, we all know facilities need to improve but in terms of coaches, we have very knowledgeable, player-orientated trainers working in the Irish club system. It is not always about facilities - because once you have knowledgeable coaches who are good at what they do, they can educate players to a good level.”

This successful qualification for a major tournament is a case in point, Ireland getting to Hungary via the elite phase when they drew with Italy before beating Ukraine and Cyprus. Their group, with hosts Hungary, Wales and Poland is far from intimidating.

But the prize - a trip to next year’s World Cup - if they make the semi-finals or finish as the highest ranked quarter-finalist is an enticing one.

Ireland Under 17 squad:

Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bohemians), Jason Healy (Waterford);

Defenders: Shanley Ashbee (Hull City), Daniel Babb (UCD), Jake Grante (Crystal Palace), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford FC), Cory O'Sullivan and Ade Solanke (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford), Rhys Bartley, Luke Kehir (St Pat's) Matthew Moore (Cork City), Danny McGrath and Taylor Mooney (Bohs), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers)

Forwards: Mason Melia (St Pat's) Matthew Murray (Cork City) Ike Orazi and Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers) Nickson Oksoun (Bohemians)

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