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Irish youth soccer has grown enormously in the last five years and Irish
under age teams have enjoyed success at European and World levels. Ireland's
under 16`s won the European Championships in 1998 and the Irish under 18`s also
won the European Championship in 98 and finished third in 1999, even before
winning European trophies the under 16's had finished forth the year before
they won it and the under sixteens had finished in third or forth for a
couple of years before their triumph. Irelands under 20's also have had
success finishing third in the World Championships in 1997. The man to thank
for these successes is Brian Kerr - the Football Association of Ireland`s youth
team manager, he manages all of Ireland`s teams from under 16/17/18 and under
20 levels. His managerial skills has done a lot for the future of football
in Ireland. He won several Irish leagues with St.Patricks Athletic and has
now been appointed technical director by the F.A.I. Brian and his assistant
Noel O'Reilly deserve a big thank you because if not for them their would be
only one or two players on this list .
1.
Name: Dean Delaney (Ire)
Current Club: Everton (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 15/09/1980
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
A very compitent young keeper, he played for Ireland when they won the 1998
under-18 European Championship and played for them in the same Champioship
in 1999, when Ireland finished third. He also played for Ireland at the
World under 20 Championships in Nigeria and also has broken through to the
Irish under 21 side. He continues to progress well at Everton, he has by
now built up a good reputation for himself at youth level.
2.
Name: John O'Shea (Ire)
Current Club: Manchester United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 30/04/1981
Position: Central Defender
Previous Clubs: Waterford Boys
Comment:
A brilliant young defender, who at the start of the 1998 season was in the
United under 19 squad, but by Christmas he had progressed so well that he was
playing for the United reserves, all this at a mere seventeen. His continuing
advancement at Old Trafford was rewarded by playing with the United first
team, admired greatly by Sir Alex Ferguson and if everything goes well he will
follow the likes of Giggs, Beckham, Scholes and the Neville`s through the Old
Trafford ranks to the first team. Tipped to fill the void left in the national
team left by the retirement of one of Ireland`s best players, Paul McGrath.
3.
Name: Jason Gavin (Ire)
Current Club: Middlesborough (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 14/03/1980
Position: Central Defender
Previous Clubs: Crumlin Boys
Comment:
Another very good central defender and yet another Irish player at the
Riverside. He broke into the first team during the last month of last season and equitted himself
marvellously, set to replace Dean Gordon at the heart of middlesboroughs defence. Has built up a
strong partnership with Everton`s young central defender Richie Dunne in the Irish under 18 team and
helped in their victory in the 98 European Championships and in the World youth Championships in Nigeria.
Thought highly of by Bryan Robson he's a sure bet as a future Irish International.
4.
Name: Ian Harte (Ire)
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 31/08/1977
Position: Left Full-Back / Wing-Back / Midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
One of David O'Leary's young guns at Elland Road, already a full Irish
international for some time and has collected over twenty caps. One of his
many strengths is his versitility he can play practically anywhere down the
left side of the pitch, he normally plays left back but he can also play at
wing back, left midfield and occasionally he has played up front. He is
immensely strong and is excellent running at players. His left foot has
become somewhat of a trademark in the Premiership and has scored some
spectacular goals from free's and from open play. He is also a very good
crosser of the ball, he is still very young, he's still a month away from
becoming twenty two and he is definitely a fantastic player and he can "only
get better". An amazing fact about Ian is that his uncle, Gary Kelly is his
teammate at both club and International level.
5.
Name: Richie Partridge (Ire)
Current Club: Liverpool (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 17/09/1980
Position: Left / Right Midfield / Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Another product of the Liverpool youth acadamy
and this one is really a find. He is an extremely skillful youngster and
can beat defenders with somewhat ease, he scores his few but is strength is
assisting others not scoring. Brilliant vision and an excellent passer of the
ball. He normally plays on the wing but can also play as striker. Last
season was hampered by injury but after a good recovery, no doubt this boy
will be joining Micheal Owen, Robbie Fowler and all the other Liverpool
players who have come through the ranks into the first team.
6.
Name: Richie Baker (Ire)
Current Club: Shelbourne (Ire)
Date of Birth: 17/04/1980
Position: Right Midfield / Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
The only Irish based player I picked for my selection, Richie is a very good
talent, he has proven himself excellently in the Irish premier league and at
under age international level. Football is in the Baker family, his brother
Desmond was once with Manchester United before moving back to the Irish
league and Desmond is now a teammate of Richie at Shelbourne. It will be a
great pity if Richie isn't given the chance of proving himself at the
highest level across the water in Britain. There were rumours that
Middlesborugh were going to take him on trial but nothihg came of it
hopefully some English or Scottish club will pick him up because as i said
it would be a great shame if this taltent went to waste.
7.
Name: Graham Barrett (Ire)
Current Club: Arsenal (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 06/10/1981
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Graham is one of the products of Irish legend Liam Brady's soccer acadamy, he
scored on his first team debut in a pre-season friendly and looks promising.
He is really a very good player, an Irish international at under 16 and
under 18. Winning a Euro-championship medal with the under 16's. He has
excellent pace and balance and has the ability to make a chance out of
practically nothing. A great prospect for the future.
8.
Name: Colin Healy (Ire)
Current Club: Glasgow Celtic (Sco)
Date of Birth: 14/03/1980
Position: Right / Central midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Since making the breakthrough to the first team last season, he has preformed
very well for the Celts after having a good stint in the side at the end of
last season, he has matured and progressed well, the change of manager with
John Barnes coming in for Josef Venglos doesn't have seemed to have affected
him either, he hasn't started this season yet but he has made several
substitute apperances.
He controls the ball brilliantly and is very strong. He sits back in
front of the defence and protects them and also has a good eye for goal, a
future Irish international and a similar player to Manchester United's Roy
Keane.
9.
Name: Liam Miller (Ire)
Current Club: Glasgow Celtic (Sco,P)
Date of Birth: 13/02/1981
Position: Central Midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Hasn't yet made it into the first team, but this term I would think that will
change. If he stays injury free and keeps up his good form, I would say he
should be in the Celtic first team by the end of the year. A very good all
rounder, every aspect of his game is accomplished, he's agressive in the
tackle, a good passer and crosser of the ball and he can hold the ball, when
he has the ball its very hard to get it off him. As an under age Irish
international he formed a strong partnership with his Celtic counter-part
Colin Healy.
10.
Name: Damien Duff (Ire)
Current Club: Blackburn Rovers (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 02/03/1979
Position: Left Midfield / Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Duff, a full Irish international is an excellent winger, a natural left
sided player with the ability to drop his shoulder and ghost past defenders.
A skillful young man, one of a crop of fresh Irish talent emerging onto the
scene. He also has a good record for scoring and can play as a forward.
He's a regular in the Rovers' team and he has made the left midfield slot in
the national team his own. Highly rated by many Premiership managers and he
should progress to become a real class player. He was a member of the Irish
team who finished third at the world under-20 cup in Malasyia in 1997.
11.
Name: Robbie Keane (Ire)
Current Club: Coventry City (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 08/07/1980
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Eng)
Comment:
The most expensive teenager in English football, Robbie completed a
suprise move to Coventry for £6million, and then scored two sublime goals on
his debut. This player is really gifted. He shares an agent with both
Micheal Owen and Alan Shearer that just shows what a starlet this boy is.
Robbie lived just forty doors down the way from Jason Gavin when he was a
boy and Richie Dunne also lived in the same housing estate in Dublin. A
natural goalscorer with as many tricks as a magician, his creative eye has
given us some suberb goals and excellent assists for other players. If he
continues this rate of progress, I really cannot see him staying longer than
two seasons with the Sky Blues and £6million is money well spent, because I would
think they would get at least double that when and if he gets sold on. He
also is a full International and already has two goals to his credit has
shown at international level that he is really world class, he was a
highlight against Argentina and he has continued that form into the Euro
2000 qualifiers.
I think that Robbie can only get better and he will become a world class
player and an excellent goalscorer.
12.
Name: Ronnie O' Brien (Ire)
Current Club: Juventus (Ita,A)
Date of Birth: 15/01/1979
Position: Right / Left Midfield
Previous Clubs: Middlesbrough (Eng)
Comment:
Ronnie moved to Juve during the summer and has signed a five year deal with
the Turin Club. He didn't get many first team opportunities at
Middlesborough but was spotted by Juventus playing for Ireland in the
under-18 European Championships in which he played. He has started well with
Juventus, scoring for them in a pre-season friendly and was on the bench in
the Burlesconi Cup against Milan. He should move away on loan to another
club for first team expierience. His future does look bright at Juve he is
liked by his manager Carlos Ancelotti. He is a good talent and hopefully in
a year or two he will have broken into the Juve first team.
13.
Name: Alex O'Reilly (Ire)
Current Club: West Ham United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: ??/??/19??
Position: Goalkeeper
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Alex is an accomplished shot stopper, has lots of under age international
expierience behind him and now is an Under 21 international. An extremely
athletic young man, he can move from one side of the goal to the other like a
light. Not a tall lad, but he still is very good under crosses. He has a good
safe pair of hands and should do well for himself in the future.
14.
Name: Gary Doherty (Ire)
Current Club: Luton Town (Eng,2)
Date of Birth: ??/??/19??
Position: Central Defender / Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Gary Doherty is a great player. As a forward he's
the typical Irish striker very alike to the likes of John Aldridge, Frank
Stapleton, Tony Cascarino and Niall Quinn. He is excellent in the air and
also a good pair of feet for such a tall man, he can turn, swivle and shoot
very quickly. He can hold the ball up and is a very good target man. He
plays up front at International level but with Luton he usually plays in
defence. He is a good defender and is very solid at the back. But in my
opinion he should play as a striker all the time. He was subject to rumours
that Blackburn among other big clubs were going to make a bid and that
interest is reportedly continuing. If Luton aren't promoted this year I
think he will move up to the Premiership.
15.
Name: Richie Dunne (Ire)
Current Club: Everton (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 21/09/1979
Position: Central defender
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Richie is a regular in the Everton first team and is a very good defender.
He is in line to replace the veteran Evertonian, Dave Watson. Has yet to
make his full international debut, but has been a squad member on several
occasions. He has the potential to become a very good and solid defender and
surely international caps await him also.
16.
Name: Stephen McPhail (Ire)
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 09/12/1978
Position: Central Midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
McPhail is another extremely talented youngster to come out of Elland Road.
Stephen is rated very highly by managers, not only in the premiership but
abroad too. Juventus sent scouts to watch McPhail several times and is meant
to be held in high regard by the Turin club. Many including former Leeds
manager Howard wilkinson say that Stephen is the closest thing to Liam
Brady, the former Irish international and Juventus midfielder they have seen.
At international level Stephen has won honours with the under 18's, he has
now progressed to under-21 level. In my opinion he should be called up to
the full squad and play beside Roy Keane in the centre of midfield. I think
they would be the partnership and better for Ireland`s attacking flair. He
has regular place for Leeds and has an excellent future to look forward to
including many an international cap.
17.
Name: Barry Quinn (Ire)
Current Club: Coventry City (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 09/05/1979
Position: Central midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Barry is a great team leader and has captained Ireland at nearly every level
he has played for the Irish at, he was the captain who won the 98 European
Championships with the Irish under 18's. Has played very well for Coventry
and is one of three Irish players in the Coventry first team. He is surely a
possible future Irish captain and is a very valuable asset for Coventry to
have. He is often compared to Roy Keane for his strength and leadership
qualities, he will only get better and better.
18.
Name: Alan Mahon (Ire)
Current Club: Tranmere Rovers (Eng,1)
Date of Birth: 04/04/1978
Position: Central Midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
Alan is a very creative player and had an excellent season with Tranmere
during the 1997/98 season and was subject to much transfer speculation with
several Premiership clubs interested, but after the Tranmere`s chairman placed
a £5million price tag on his head, many clubs lost interest, but when
Newcastle were at an advanced stage with negotiations to take Alan to St.
James's park then the talks suddenly broke down and Mahon stayed at
Tranmere. Last term his season was blighted with injuries but he managed a
few games after Christmas and had a good run of form just before the end of
the season, hopefully if he continues that good form this season, he can
continue to win Irish under 21 caps and hopefully a move up to the
Premiership.
19.
Name: Alan Quinn (Ire)
Current Club: Sheffield Wednesday (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 13/06/1979
Position: Central Midfield
Previous Clubs: Cherry Orchard
Comment:
Alan is the same kind of player as Manchester United's Paul Scholes. He is a
hyper active midfield worker and he can also score goals, made good
progress at hillsborough last season, he is the type of player that can
raise the tempo of a game single handedly and is regularly playing now for
the Wednesday first team. At international level he also has done well, he
scored the winner in the under 18 Euro-Championships final and has now
progressed to under 21 level.
20.
Name: David McMahon (Ire)
Current Club: Newcastle United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 17/01/1981
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: None
Comment:
David is a good goalscorer, he has great imagination and vision and is an
extremely skillful player. He has made good progress in the Newcastle youth
teams and is highly thought of on Tyneside. At international level he has
played for both the under 16's and under 17's, he is remembered for scoring
the winning goal in the final of the under 16 Euro-Championship final
against Italy. He is a good player and should have a very good future - his
goalscoring will certainly make him a favorite with the fans, he really is a
great talent.
21.
Name: Kevin Grogan (Ire)
Current Club: Manchester United (Eng,P)
Date of Birth: 15/11/1981
Position: Central Midfield
Previous Clubs: Belvedere (Ire)
Comment:
Kevin is the second of two Man Utd players in my selection, has settled well
at United and made good progress in the youth team and is a very good
midfielder, at international level he has played for Ireland at under 16 and
under 18 levels and has equitted himself excellently. He has a great future
ahead of him and he couldn't be at a better club. Surely with time on his
side he is a good prospect for the future.
James O'Flaherty
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