Jim Crawford has predicted a bright future for the next generation of Under-21 stars - and that senior appearances beckon for some of the departing players.
Crawford watched on last Tuesday night as his side missed out on European Championship qualification, when they were beaten on penalties by Israel in Tel Aviv.
Had they progressed to next summer’s tournament, it would have extended the Under-21 careers of several players.
For stars such as Conor Coventry and Will Smallbone, their next international appearance will have to come at senior level.
And that could come as early as this November in friendlies against Norway and Malta for the West Ham and on-loan Stoke City midfielders.
“There are certain players who are now finished with Under-21s football and the next step is the senior team,” said Crawford.
“And I wish them nothing but the best in international football.
“There are a lot of really good characters leaving us, which is a pity because I would have loved to have extended our time together and got to the finals.”
He will, however, look forward to the next campaign with a number of players who gained Under-21 experience over the past 18 months.
Once he agrees on a new deal to extend his tenure as manager, that is.
“Myself and the staff had a design and strategy to bring in younger lads that are going to be instrumental in the next campaign,” said Crawford.
“We had Bosun Lawal in with us last year in Marbella. We brought in Andy Moran - who has high potential, Joe Hodge played a big part in these play-off games.
“Ollie O’Neill has been a significant player for us and kicked us off on that winning streak that helped us get to the play-offs.
“Anselmo Garcia MacNulty has been involved and he’s going to be huge for us in the next campaign.
“And Sean Roughan comes on in extra-time in a play-off game and doesn’t look out of place. I’m excited for these players.
“Any of these players involved have earned their place, we’re not giving away Under-21s caps to anyone, you have to earn them and they have deserved their call-ups.
“You see Evan Ferguson, a player who played with us since 16-years-of-age, feature all campaign and he’s rewarded with a goal against Israel.
“He and Mipo Odubeko have that opportunity to progress with us next campaign and I’m very much looking forward to working with them again.”
Looking back at the recent campaign, which ended in such heartbreaking circumstances, Crawford insisted: “For me the highs far outweigh the lows.
“A first play-off at Under-21s level, then you look at Conor Coventry gaining record caps for the Ireland U21s and Lee O’Connor now second in that chart.
“Then you have Brian Maher with a record number of clean sheets in a campaign – they are great moments you reflect on.”
Meanwhile, Crawford had to say farewell to the majority of his Under-21 players after Tuesday night’s flight home from Tel Aviv.
Of those who featured in this campaign, the following are no longer eligible to play at Under-21 level:
Finn Azaz, Joel Bagan, Eiran Cashin, Aaron Connolly, Conor Coventry, Dawson Devoy, Will Ferry, David Harrington, Joshua Kayode, Liam Kerrigan, Gavin Kilkenny, Andy Lyons, Brian Maher, Oisin McEntee, Mark McGuinness, Luke McNicholas, Conor Noss, Jake O’Brien, Lee O’Connor, Adam O’Reilly, David Odumosu, Joe Redmond, Will Smallbone, Ross Tierney, Colm Whelan, Tyreik Wright.
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