Merseyside clubs still searching for gems in Ireland

Amid the gloom of Ireland’s draw with Scotland, focus has shifted onto how we can improve our production line of young talent.

But how are young Irish players viewed by the people who man Premier League academies?

Liverpool FC Academy Chief Scout Dave Moss and Everton Academy coach and former Ireland star Kevin Sheedy give their views.

Do you think Premier League academies still view Ireland as a good source of players?

Kevin Sheedy:

From our point of view, definitely. We always have scouts working there who bring over youngsters for us to look at. We monitor them closely and try to decide if they could fit in to our set-up here. You only need to look at Seamus Coleman as proof of what can happen for young Irish players who are given a chance. So we definitely want young Irish players.

Dave Moss:

Judging by the amount of scouts from other clubs that I bump in to when I’m in Ireland or Northern Ireland, every Premier League team still sees it as a good breeding ground. Nobody wants to miss out on potentially signing a talented young footballer that could go all the way.

Is the standard of young players coming out of Ireland at a high level right now?

DM:

The standard has probably levelled off a bit in the last couple of years. But there are still good players there. We are very active in our scouting or recruiting in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. It’s an area no club can afford to ignore. Everybody wants to unearth a great talent like a Roy Keane or a Liam Brady.

KS:

Again from an Everton point of view, we feel the standard is very good. Stephen Kinsella is perfect example of that. We signed him from Templeogue United in Dublin last year. He’s a very talented player we have high hopes for.

How do Irish lads compare to youngsters of the same age from other countries?

KS:

I don’t think foreign players are necessarily more talented than Irish or British lads. They are probably equal. We have gifted players from a range of different countries at our academy. From there it’s about trying to create the right environment for them to blossom. No matter what their nationality, they have to feel comfortable at the club and be given space to flourish and grow.

DM:

Overall, I’d say young Irish players compare favourably with those of the same age from different countries. Boys’ clubs and junior teams in Ireland have great standing and tradition; that is why the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona accept invitations to play in tournaments there. I suppose you could say the boys from overseas might have a different type of development programme which may put some of them ahead technically, but when youngsters join us they are given every opportunity to develop all of their skills.

Ways to raise the standard of young players in Ireland are always being debated. What can be done to make it happen?

KS:

I know the FAI recently announced plans for another centre of excellence (in Cork). That’s got to be a step in the right direction because better facilities and better coaching should help make more talented players. That will benefit the boys and could give more chance of going on to have careers in the game, possibly at Premier League level.

DM:

I’m not sure how Irish football can make huge changes in the way players are produced. Maybe restructuring the football at a very young age could be a possibility but I don’t know if that is the answer. What I do know is that young players from Ireland are given the same opportunities at English academies as the locals or foreign lads. It is then up to the individual to push himself to the next level. But we all know it is a massive leap to reach Premier League status and only a few can achieve it.