Sadlier: Radical change needed

Richard Sadlier has called for a radical overhaul in the way young players are developed in this country.

Twelve years have passed since Ireland last reached the World Cup finals while last season’s Premier League top four didn’t field a single Irish player. Sadlier fears Ireland will continue to fail to qualify for major competitions unless “significant changes” are made.

“Other countries, and I really passionately believe this, are putting in place youth structures, long-term plans that will make a difference,” the RTÉ pundit said.