Six young stars poised to take the Irish League by storm this season
A striking trend of the Irish League is the number of very young players sealing dream cross-channel moves.
That's testament to the work of coaches and academies while clubs appreciate the financial compensation.
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Belfast Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Irish League club set for financial boost as Northern Ireland striker on verge of League One switch
The 21-year-old is on the move from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth more than £1million. Linfield will also net a financial boost after Taylor joined Forest from the Blues as a teenager in 2020. He spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at League One outfit Wigan Athletic from Forest, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in 42 appearances. The striker claimed both the Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year prizes, becoming the first loan signing since Chelsea's Reece James (2018/19) to achieve the feat. Taylor will be hoping the move helps him add to his nine senior caps for Northern Ireland after making his debut against Lithuania in 2021. His international comrade Jamie Donley has joined Championship club Stoke City on loan. The 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward was hot property following an impressive loan stint in League One with Leyton Orient in the 2024/25 term. He scored eight goals and provided 10 assists as the O's made the Play-Off Final. Although several Championship sides were keen on his signature, Stoke got the deal over the line. Donley said: 'I had a few teams after me, but I decided on Stoke when the gaffer (Mark Robins) called while I was away on tour with Spurs. 'The way he wants to play, both in terms of attacking and defending, definitely suits me. 'I've heard a lot about the coaching staff and how the manager improves young players. 'You can see that in the history he's had in working with different teams. 'I'm very much a team player, Stoke City fans can know I'll work really hard whether that's defensively or making options to receive the ball to play forward. 'I enjoyed a really positive loan last year, I know about the pressure of men's football now and how people look to you to contribute in games. 'I took to that pressure well and I want to carry that on here at Stoke City.' In the Sports Direct Premiership, Crusaders have signed defender Odhran McCart following his departure from Ards. Glenavon have made goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan available for transfer.
Belfast Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
It's unfair to enforce seasonal change and play during summer when most of the Irish League is part-time: Chris Shields
Linfield warrior Chris Shields has argued it would be unfair and wrong to enforce summer football on part-time Irish League players. Speaking during Linfield's European odyssey in the summer of 2025, Shields has reiterated his caution about any change to the Premiership fixtures calendar.
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Glenavon sign former Portadown goalkeeper Carney
Goalkeeper Jacob Carney is the latest arrival at Glenavon, following his release from Newport 24-year-old enjoyed a previous spell in the Irish League when on loan at Portadown in 2021, but this time moves to the blue side of the Mid-Ulster began his career with Manchester United's academy, spending time on loan with Stocksbridge Park Steels and Brighouse Town before making a permanent switch to Sunderland. A move to Castellón in Spain followed before spending last season at Rotherham native is delighted to return to the NIFL Premiership and team up with manager Paddy McLaughlin at Mourneview Park."I loved my time in the Irish League previously," he said."The physicality and the fact that every game is different gives you something to look forward to.""He (McLaughlin) rang me and talked to me about what he wants to do with the club and I was excited by what he had to say. The last couple of years I've had in football haven't been great, so I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to come here and play and help the team."Carney made 22 league appearances during his time with Portadown and his performances did not go unnoticed by McLaughlin who is delighted to have captured his signature."It was clear to see Jacob's quality when he played in the league before," said the Glenavon boss."He was one of the best in the division and we're delighted to get the deal over the line."It's no secret that I like my teams to play good football and that includes build up from the back. You can see that in the other players we've brought in. Jacob fits that perfectly. He's good with his feet and will help us with that dimension of our game."
