Debate - Future of Youth Development in Irish Football

[legendz]

"Average coaching contact time for under-17 boys at League of Ireland clubs is 260 minutes per week... 24 academies having only 10 full-time staff...
A category three English academy like Rochdale or Accrington Stanley spends up to 720 minutes on youth development."

The Irish Times are reporting that the ETP money is to be spent on the best 14-to-18-year-olds footballers in the country. This approach will treble the training hours of boys and girls with the greatest potential to make it as professionals. The sessions will take place at the FAI’s HQ in Abbotstown from next year.

[tetsujin1979]

As the FAI and League of Ireland clubs squabble, our talented young players are moulded into professionals abroad

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...ionals-abroad/