Veterans Henderson and Ashton return to Cobh Ramblers as new academy chiefs

This was the new scheme introduced in the last Budget, pledging a multi-annual commitment starting with €3m for year one. Grants of €43,500 for the senior role and €38,500 for the coaching post are available but these salaries can be topped up by the club.

Candidates must be selected from a panel composed by the FAI following their initial recruitment phase, with three required to be interviewed by a club interested in accessing the funding. Staff are employed on three-year contracts.

First Division Cobh are the latest club to finalise their recruits. Cork City last month appointed former player and Ireland U17 manager Colin O’Brien, ex-Ireland international Alan Moore was taken on by Bohemians while another former Ireland player, centurion Áine O'Gorman, is the sole female, having filled the academy director vacancy at her local club Bray Wanderers.

Waterford chose another ex-Cork City player, Johnny Dunleavy, while Dundalk beat off competition from rival suitors to land Tom Mohan, the former Ireland U19 boss who joined the FAI exodus alongside O’Brien last December.

Two weeks ago, Donagh O’Brien and Darren Aherne were announced as Kerry FC’s choices.

It’s understood that Keith Long, the former Bohemians and Waterford manager, is favourite to become Shelbourne’s Academy lead, occupying the berth left by Colm Barron’s departure to the FAI earlier in the summer.