Latest news with #LeagueofIreland
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
I'd be delighted to receive a senior Northern Ireland call-up: new League of Ireland star
The 22-year-old sealed a move to the League of Ireland heavyweights this week after a successful season at Dungannon Swifts that culminated in an Irish Cup Final win over Cliftonville.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
LOI's fountain of youth boosted by rare Brexit benefit
There's something quietly brilliant happening in the League of Ireland this season. Week in, week out, we're watching young players not only step onto the pitch but genuinely shine. They're not coming off the bench as a token gesture or playing dead minutes in games long settled. These are kids being trusted in high-stakes, first-team football, and more importantly, delivering. There are multiple reasons behind this youthful surge, with the most transformative one being Brexit. While Brexit has caused plenty of headaches, there's no denying one silver lining for us fans of the league - it's kept our best 16 year olds at home. Gone are the days of rushing lads off to England at the first sign of promise, only for them to fade into elite academy systems. Now, the physically ready among them are developing in senior environments, learning the hard truths of the game in real time rather than in cloistered training pitches behind closed gates. There's something pure about watching a young footballer figure out the chaos of a League of Ireland game. It toughens them up. It's unpredictable, physical, technical, and demanding. Players are being forged here now, not just spotted. Despite historically minimal support, clubs have dug deep to build structures capable of producing the talent we are enjoying on Friday nights. They're appointing more qualified coaches, trying to improve facilities and implementing football philosophies that mirror what you'd see in clubs abroad. Why? Because it makes financial sense. While playing budgets at first-team level are at record highs, one of the best ways to balance that economically is to start selling. And not selling for buttons either, selling with proper fees and, crucially, sell-on clauses. At this point, you'd struggle to find a single Premier Division club who doesn't have a player out in the world with a sell-on clause attached. The initial fee may not have been huge, but if that player kicks on, the financial upside is significant. That's not just good business; it's future proofing. The real shift, though, has come in how early players are being exposed to senior football. Gone is the overprotectiveness that stifled many a career. Managers are trusting younger players because they have to, but also because they're ready. And that readiness is mostly the product of our young players staying at home post Brexit. The knock-on effect is massive. Clubs are now not only developing players, they're marketing them. Every minute a young lad plays in a senior match is potential value. But here's the critical bit: performing in the League of Ireland is just the start. For these benefits to really flow back into our league, these players need to go abroad and perform again at Championship level, Premier League level or in Europe's top tiers. That's what triggers the big sell-ons. That's what raises the ceiling on the next transfer. That's what draws scouts in their dozens to our shores. To get there, though, the players need more. More coaching, more support, and, inevitably, more investment. It's one thing to produce a player who can do a job in our league at 17 or 18, it's another to create one who can dominate games at 22 in the Bundesliga or Serie A. If we want to consistently export that level of talent, our youth coaching has to match that of the countries we're trying to compete with. At the moment, it doesn't. Not quite. There's a pool of excellent, dedicated coaches out there, but the numbers aren't where they need to be. The drop-off rate among promising players remains too high. We need a deeper pool and a better environment for players to swim in. One recent development worth watching is the implementation of the Football Pathways Plan. By aligning registration periods across all levels of Irish football, it could potentially open doors for more short-term loan moves and fluid progression routes. Think of it this way: in England, a young player not quite ready for the Championship might spend a month or two at a National League club to get important game time. These short-term loans can happen outside the transfer window and they both help the player develop and the non-league team who needs a dig out. We could mirror that with players dipping into the Leinster Senior League or Munster Senior League, giving valuable game time to those who might be technically excellent but not quite physically ready for the Premier Division. That sort of exposure keeps players involved and developing. It keeps the dream alive. And it could help reduce the dropout rate across the country. For now, let's celebrate the progress. The names are stacking up, players making debuts, starting games and making progress. We're watching a generation come of age not in non-competitive Under-21 leagues or behind-the-scenes academy games, but in front of crowds, under pressure and in matches that matter. But let's not let the odd breakthrough fool us into complacency. This is a pivotal moment. With proper investment - in coaching, infrastructure and support systems - we can take this momentum and build something lasting. Because here's the truth: our league will only be as strong as the next batch of kids coming through. And if we do right by them, they'll do right by us, not just at Tallaght or Richmond or The Showgrounds, but at the Aviva, and across Europe's biggest stages. That's the future. It needs help. Let's invest in it.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
League of Ireland has escaped ‘difficult child' tag – but recent spats prove there's nothing wrong with childish scenes
JOHN DELANEY'S 'problem child' followed him around like a bad smell — much to his annoyance. For starters, he called the League of Ireland the FAI's 'difficult child' instead, and was describing the financial basket case it was and how he believed it had progressed. 2 John Delaney infamously called the League of Ireland a 'difficult child' Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 2 St Pat's players taunt Stuey Byrne after winning the league The last time I spoke to Delaney was in 2018. I asked him if he was surprised that he could appoint a manager — He snapped back: 'There's been so much made about that. I came from the 'I didn't mean it in that context and people should know that. It was where it was to where it is.' But the way the Association sometimes dealt with naysayers from within the League of Ireland around that time showed that the Read More on League of Ireland The now FAI President Paul Cooke was once an ally of Delaney but became persona non grata after asking questions about finances — Cooke is an accountant — at an AGM. Roddy Collins was another who was hit with a fine for a comment on RTÉ in 2011, and another when he called the league a 'shambles' in a 2016 column in the Irish Daily Star . He was fined by the FAI as he was working for Monaghan United in 2011 and Had he not been in football , any sanction would have been legal. Good luck proving that calling the league a 'shambles' at that time was not fair comment! But 2016 was also the year that FAI Competitions Director Fran Gavin went on RTÉ and said the Association had 'created the atmosphere' for successes such as those of Most read in Football But the sad thing is it was often an atmosphere of silence. Stadia were often quiet due to lack of numbers, and the managers all — publicly at least — got on with it and largely didn't complain. FAI invite Ireland fan, 11, who was stabbed at Dublin school to training before Bulgaria clash Thankfully that has all changed. The crowds are great — though that may change if The FAI has got it in the neck at times, but that is nothing compared to the WWE-style shenanigans between managers. There has been Stephen Kenny, meanwhile, At the same time, Virgin Media must be delighted that their guests are in the story as it is a rarity in Ireland. PUNDIT POPS Personally, I can only recall a couple of times when pundits got it in the neck from LOI managers or players. And St Pat's players never forgot when Stuart Byrne said Saints were a side to play when the sun came out. They posed for a team photo in hats and scarves after winning the league. Managers — and some fans — may complain about the sideshows taking centre stage when there are so many great games, great goals and great players. But it should be embraced if it keeps people talking about the league. The league is no problem child, but there is nothing wrong with some childish moments now and then.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
FAI facing increased pressure to allow freedom to decide season format
The FAI is facing increasing pressure to ditch its summer season edict after the backlash from key affiliates intensified. Resistance to the directive of synchronising all levels of football with the League of Ireland format of February to October hasn't abated since it being passed by a narrow 57% margin of the association's general assembly in December. On the back of a failed attempt to link grant funding for the Gaynor and Kennedy Cups to compliance with the FAI's calendar season, meetings were held in Portlaoise with the two largest constituent bodies on Wednesday night. The Leinster Football Association had previously dismissed the ballot as 'flawed' and were on the brink of releasing a statement seeking freedom of choice among their leagues to remain in the traditional format of September to May. It's believed the statement was only paused due to an intervention from top FAI brass. Significantly, none of the FAI's staff who have been at the forefront pushing the change, were invited to the last-ditch talks – only President Paul Cooke and Vice-President John Finnegan. 'All members present voiced their concerns and opinions around calendar alignment and the issues it would cause in their respective leagues around the province,' the LFA wrote in correspondence to leagues, seen by the Irish Examiner. 'The FAI members present took on board the concerns and views of the LFA and made a commitment to bring those concerns back to the FAI Board.' The pair of elected FAI officers also met with their biggest affiliate, the Schoolboys/girls FAI, who in February pleaded with the FAI to reevaluate the compulsory element. Under the FAI's phased proposal, underage leagues are to introduce the 'calendar' season from next January for players up to age 12 but none of the biggest six seven leagues in the country, DDSL and North Dublin, along with Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, have agreed to the overhaul.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sligo Rovers whizz kid living up to the hype.
John Russell reckons the sky is the limit for Sligo Rovers' whizz-kid striker Owen Elding. The club has turned into a factory of talent in recent years, producing Johnny Kenny as well as Elding from their youth system, while reinvigorating the careers of Max Mata and Aidan Keana. Yet Elding could be the best of the lot - the 19-year-old taking this season by storm, getting seven goals to his name already, including a wonder strike last weekend against Shelbourne in Sligo's 3-2 defeat. And boss Russell is excited by what lies ahead. Read more: 'It's just to threaten them a little so they behave themselves' - Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds Read more: Ireland international Robbie Brady makes decision on club future He said: 'He is a fabulous talent and you could see in pre-season the way he came back that he had a big year ahead of him and that was why we spoke to the club and said, 'look we need to tie him to a long term contract'. 'I have known Owen since he was 11, when I was working as a development officer in the area; I saw him win a Primary Schools All-Ireland with his local school; and he has been in and around the first team since he was 17. 'I have no doubt there was an element of frustration for him last year, in that he made 25 appearances but only two or three of those were starts. 'But you have to be patient with young players and he has shown everyone what he is about this season and now we can see that he is impacting every game. 'What I love about him most is his mentality. 'Even last week, when we went 3-1 down to Shels, his attitude was 'give me the ball, I am going to make something happen'. When someone does that, that is when you know you have got a proper player and for a kid who has just turned 19, you know he has got a bright future.' The question now is how far can he go in the game. Russell says: 'Owen always showed promise but the question always is, when you enter the men's game, can you perform and step up to that level? He has shown he is progressing nicely over the last 18 months and is one of the most exciting and most creative young players in the league.' Yet he may not even be the best teenager in League of Ireland football right now as Spurs-bound Mason Melia and Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan are absolutely flying. What a contrast that is from Russell's playing days when experienced pros were in the ascendancy. So what has changed? Russell says: 'The difference from then to now is the academy system which was not in place when I was playing. 'Yes, we need more funding in terms of having more full time coaches. But the structures are there and players can come through. That has been a big help. 'In addition, Brexit's law changes means the most outstanding young talents now are in the League of Ireland and in the first team environment at early ages. 'So Owen's development was accelerated by virtue of the fact he wasn't just playing underage football; he was in the first team playing friendlies, training full time, and when that happens, you get to a point when you are standing out. 'It is not rocket science. We all know what to do. But it is a case of putting that structure in place and I feel we are getting our rewards in the league now. And also I feel with more young coaches being in the league, young players are getting more opportunities now.'
