League of Ireland clubs to receive up to €3m to kickstart academy model

An initial agreement for €2.6m was agreed in principle last week but that has now increased, it's understood.

FUTURE PROOF: League of Ireland academy development manager Will Clarke. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Irish football will finally directly benefit from the government’s budget today, with an expected allocation of up to €3million to kickstart a club-led academy development model.

Pleas for State support have ramped up since Brexit in 2020 raised the age at which Irish cadets can join UK clubs from 16 to 18.