Ireland remains fertile hunting ground for English big guns

The era of Irish players figuring at the business end of England’s Premier League is long gone but that hasn’t stopped the major clubs hawking these shores for young talent.

Not since Stephen Ireland broke into the Manchester City team back 2005 has a graduate of the Irish system nailed down a regular spot amongst one of the Premier League’s real heavyweight clubs — and it’s doubtful he would have broken into today’s City line-up.

Yet, despite the dearth of green shoots at England’s top table at senior level, the opposite pattern continues in the teenage market.