Tim Clancy hailed St Pat’s ability to unearth young gems after they fielded an entire team of internationals over the past week.
The League of Ireland introduced international breaks for the first time this season - and it’s just as well for the Saints.
Darragh Burns and David Odumosu were part of Jim Crawford’s Ireland Under-21 squad that secured an important 2-0 win away to Sweden on Tuesday.
James Abankwah, Josh Keeley and Kian Corbally were all in England with Tom Monhan’s Under-19s for elite qualifiers against England, Portugal and Armenia.
And first-team squad man Sam Curtis, Sean McHale, Luke O'Brien, Darius Lipsiuc and Adam Murphy were in Portugal as the Under-17s faced Portugal, Finland and Bulgaria.
St Pat’s right-back Jack Scott - on loan from Wolves - was also on duty for Northern Ireland’s Under-21s.
And goalkeeper Joseph Anang - on loan from West Ham - was on standby for England’s Under-21s, but wasn't called upon.
Saints boss Clancy said: “Numbers for training were down last week as we had a lot of players away - but that's the positive of having good, young players at the club.
“The work the St Pat’s academy has done for years is benefiting them now.
“We’ve recruited a few good young lads too and that’s something I’d be keen on - giving young players opportunities and I did it at Drogheda as well.
“The better players you have and the bigger the club you're at, the more recognition they'll get.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with his old club Drogheda, Clancy continued: “You want players in the squad who are very ambitious and really want to kick on.
“You want players who want to improve themselves and get a move or establish themselves in the League of Ireland.
“They’re the players you target and it just happens that a lot of them are young lads.
“But it's brilliant for the league and also for the international teams at 19s and 17s that some of these lads are playing first-team football.
““I'm sure it’s something that other young lads around the country will look at and see there’s a pathway at St Pat's to get into the first team.
“St Pat’s have been very strong in the academy for years and the international recognition comes on the back of that.”
