With all our Irish talent being snapped up by clubs across the water, i think that our pool of talent is drying up. The move cross channel is seenby most aspiring players in Ireland as the Pinnacle and something to aim for. How many make it?. Its obvious that so much talent is wasted going over too early, and our own leagues are suffering, but ultimately we are suffering at international level.
I reckon our best way forward would be to take a leaf out of the French book. Look at Clairefontaine. I know its too much like talking sense, but the FAI should set up a Centre of Excellence for youth training, were players can train every day and still continue their school studies, that way not losing out should their chosen careers not materialise. This might discourage so many moving abroad, if they knew the proper training could be given at home.
I am interested to hear others thoughts on this.
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