Colin O'Brien warns of club v country showdown ahead of Ireland's U17 World Cup campaign

The Irish Sun

28-05-2025

COLIN O'BRIEN confirmed the World Cup has the potential for a club versus country row - but argued that there is no greater stage for Ireland's rising stars.
The Ireland Under-17 manager yesterday named his squad for three friendlies in Croatia next week that begin preparations for
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Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien reckons a club v country row could ensue ahead of the U17 World Cup
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Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien and his side travel to Qatar in November
Ireland know they will face
But the Boys in Green's first World Cup appearance at Under-17 level has the potential for issues with clubs, as the squad will get together on October 27.
That is a few days before the League of Ireland Premier Division finale on November 1, and FAI Cup final on November 8, with the promotion relegation play-off also that week.
And with the likes of Shamrock Rovers' Michael Noonan, Galway's Cillian Tollett, and Finn Harps Josh Cullen all in first team action, the Ireland gaffer admitted talks will be needed.
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He said: 'There is not a FIFA window at that time. It's one we've got to manage and just watch as time unfolds over the summer.
'Certain teams might have leagues wrapped up, might be in or out of cups. It's something I'm very aware of and I will be in communication with clubs.
'At the end of the day, the players are contracted to the clubs. But we'll want our best players for the World Cup.
'Hopefully when you're asking me that question in late September, early October, we have more clarity on it.
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'There will be a time when we'll have to talk about it, but right now, we've got to let the players get on and the club's get on with making their mark in Europe and in the country.'
Clubs are not obliged not release players as it is not in a FIFA window though O'Brien is arranging all warm-up fixtures on official international dates.
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And he stressed that it is not a League of Ireland-only issue, as players around Europe - like Rory Finneran at Newcastle United and Jaden Umeh at Benfica - are playing at a higher age group for their clubs at the moment.
But he stressed that the World Cup is a great platform for an exciting crop of players who have come through the hardest route to reach Qatar.
He said: 'The World Cup, you want your best players, what an opportunity to showcase individuals from our clubs in this country as well.
'For me you won't get a better stage for young players. It's historic. For us to get there, it's the hardest Confederation and toughest Confederation to get out of.
'We started out in the tournament, there were 54 countries, that then goes into a second phase of 28…we got to there.
'Then out of 28, the Under-17 Euros…only seven teams qualified. We would have qualified if this was last year, because we finished second (at it was a 16-team tournament).
'What they did then is they gave 11 places for the World Cup. there were seven groups going on in March but only four countries qualified from the other seven.
'Spain haven't qualified for this (or) the Netherlands….we have. We're doing something right.
'This is my eighth year and this will be our fifth major competition for this age group. We've been to four European finals and this will be our first World Cup.
'It can inspire, it can showcase the talent we have, for me the big one as well, it's the generation that are coming underneath the 17s group.'
O'Brien also acknowledged the profile on his team could help put more political focus on funding football.
He added: 'I think the Government could look at the World Cup, absolutely, but whether it's the World Cup or not, we have to secure funding. It has to be secured to progress basically.
'We're up against it. We are competitive, but if we want to keep in those competitive layers, we have to secure funding.
'I'll always say this, it's not the Tier one countries I'd be comparing ourselves to, the Portugals, the Spains, they're just all on a different level completely and have been right through their history.
'I'm talking now about the Eastern Bloc countries. I'm talking about Tier three countries, Scandinavian countries.
'They are all developing and accelerating their resources and developments every year. For us to be in that mix, we really have to secure the funding.'
Squad: Moloney (Southampton), A Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Butler (Wexford), Cullen (Finn Harps), Gabbidon (Malmo), Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Leonard (Dundalk), McDonagh (Venezia), Spaight (Dundalk), Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Finneran (Newcastle United), McAteer (Finn Harps), McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers), Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Hayes (St Patrick's Athletic), Lee (Shamrock Rovers), M Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Tollett (Galway United), Umeh (Benfica).