Why five of Ireland's top young players are happy to miss this year's FAI Cup final
Why five of Ireland's top young players are happy to miss this year's FAI Cup final
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Why five of Ireland's top young players are happy to miss this year's FAI Cup final

Garry Doyle 🕒︎ 2025-10-21

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Why five of Ireland's top young players are happy to miss this year's FAI Cup final

Five of Ireland’s brightest young footballers found out yesterday that they would miss out on this year’s FAI Cup final DESPITE their clubs reaching the decider. Ordinarily this kind of discovery would have devastating consequences. But not this time as the reason the Shamrock Rovers and Cork City quintet are not heading to the Aviva is because they have been included in the Ireland squad to play in next month’s Under 17 World Cup in Qatar. “What we are doing is historic,” said the Ireland manager, Colin O’Brien. “No Irish team has gone here before at this age range. “In men’s football, you have World Cups at three levels: Under 17, Under 20 and senior. It’s rare for any Irish men’s team to reach it. We came close twice before as Under 17s. Not meaning to drop names but Yasmin Lamal stopped us the last time. In 2017 a de-facto play-off saw England (who had Jadon Sancho, Conor Gallagher, Marc Guehi and Phil Foden in their squad) stopped us. “So, to reach the World Cup finals is difficult. You only have to look at the teams who didn’t make it into this tournament: Spain, The Netherlands. It’s brilliant for the 21 players who have been selected and brilliant also for the profile of their respective clubs.” Two of those clubs are Cork City and Shamrock Rovers, this year’s FAI Cup finalists. Between them they have five members of O’Brien’s squad: Michael Noonan, Alex Noonan, Victor Ozhianvuna and Max Kovalevskis, with Cork’s Brody Lee also getting the call up. Realistically, Michael Noonan, the young Rovers striker, was the only one of the five likely to start and even he may not have done so. Nonetheless, it is a considerable sacrifice that the two clubs have made to allow their players to represent their country outside of an official international window. But O’Brien said: “While clubs have the right to object, none of them have. They have been as good as gold, recognising what a unique opportunity this is. Like, a World Cup. How many Ireland teams have ever been to World Cups?” The answer is three at senior level (1990, 1994, 2002) and five at the Under 20 age range. As O’Brien correctly stated, this indeed, is a historic achievement for his Under 17s to get this far. And they don’t want to stop now. Their group contains three countries who do not have a renowned pedigree: Uzbekistan, Panama and Paraguay. Yet appearances can be deceptive, Uzbekistan, for a start, being the recipient of huge amounts of state aid over the last couple of decades. Then there is Paraguay. Quarter-finalists six years ago, this is their seventh appearance at an Under 17 World Cup, topped up by their Under 20 side qualifying on ten occasions for the tournament at that age range. Panama, too, are an improving football nation. “All four teams will see opportunities here,” said O’Brien. “All four will believe they can defeat the other teams. It’ll be fascinating to see how it pans out.” Although it has yet to be officially announced, it appears likely the games will be televised on RTE, giving an opportunity for a nation’s success starved fans to catch a glimpse of the future. Of the 21 players named, over half are registered with League of Ireland clubs. Three play in England, with Southampton, Newcastle and Burnley, a figure which would undoubtedly be higher only for the Brexit law changes which prevents young Irish players signing for a British club until their 18th birthday. A changing trend then has been for young hopefuls to try their luck further afield which is precisely what six members of this squad have done, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal their destinations. O’Brien said: “It has been interesting to observe. There are challenges, for sure, in terms of the player adapting to a new language or culture. What I have seen is a rapid maturity among the young men who have gone abroad. They’ve had to become more independent. “Even the way they communicate to you, it is noticeable how grown up they are. Then there is the football aspect. I’ve seen tactical and technical improvements. Really interesting developments, tweaks in their game. They’re coming on. “But look, the system here is producing seriously good players. You’re seeing guys getting their chance at 16-years-of-age in first teams in the League of Ireland. That’s only going to continue and increase in terms of numbers. “Clubs are not afraid to give young players a chance. The First Division, especially, is really showcasing a lot of good, young talent. I’m excited by what’s coming through.” And excited too by the month ahead. Qatar is their destination, Panama their first opponent on November 5. Then it is Uzbekistan, the Asian champions, and finally Paraguay. A top two finish places Ireland in the round of 32 an aim they are quietly confident of achieving. Ireland fixtures Wednesday, November 5 | Panama vs Ireland, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 12.30pm* Saturday, November 8 | Ireland vs Uzbekistan, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 3.45pm* Tuesday, November 11 | Ireland vs Paraguay, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 1.30pm* Ireland squad George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Corey Sheridan (Finn Harps). Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Sean Spaight (Dundalk). Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers). Forwards: Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Cork City), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Jaden Umeh (SL Benfica).

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