St Patrick's Athletic have partnered with Cherry Orchard - cementing a relationship between two clubs with some big-name players in common.
The partnership will see the formation of a player pathway from school to senior level for both boys and girls.
Some of the players that lined out for both sides include James Abankwah and Jamie McGrath, while Nathan Collins is another graduate of Cherry Orchard.
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St Pat's Academy Director Ger O'Brien said: “We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with Cherry Orchard.
“Cherry Orchard have played a huge part in developing players that have come to our academy over the last number of years.
“Players such as James Abankwah, Glory Nzingo and Ben Quinn all came from a very talented 2004 team and have all moved on via St Pat's to professional clubs in Europe and the UK.
“Recent Ireland senior international Jamie McGrath also played for both clubs, with many other examples.
“Cherry Orchard have excellent foundations in place for boys and girls football and we want to help them grow in this area over the next number of years.”
As part of the venture, a full-time Football Partnership Manager is being sought, while St Pat’s hope to field a team in the EA SPORTS Women's National U17 League from next year.
Former Longford Town goalkeeper Stephen O’Brien is the underage section chairman of Cherry Orchard and he hailed the arrangement.
“We at Cherry Orchard FC are delighted to be entering into this partnership with St Patrick's Athletic FC,” he said.
“Cherry Orchard have a rich history of developing players who have gone onto have very successful careers in the professional game.
“In the last week our former player Nathan Collins has been making big headlines for our international team, in addition one of our female players Jessie Stapleton has just made her debut for our Women's National Team.
“To now have the advantage of a player pathway from Cherry Orchard FC into the professional National League academy structures at St Pat's bodes very well for the future development of our players.
“The fact that St Patrick's Athletic are allocating a full time role to the partnership speaks volumes for the project moving forward.
“The quantity of young players, many of them teenagers, playing in the St Patrick's Athletic first Team and gaining professional contracts at a young age provides a true player pathway from underage football into our professional league.
“It's also worth noting in very recent times that former Cherry Orchard players James Abankwah and Glory Nzingo have signed as professional for St Pat's and then transferred across into European Clubs.
“We are Cherry Orchard FC are looking forward to a very fruitful partnership.”
Those interested in the role of Football Partnership Manager should send their CV to president@stpatsfc.com by Monday June 27 at 5pm.
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