CATCH THEM IF YOU CAN

It's now harder than ever for young Irish talent to make it in English game

- BY KIERAN CUNNINGHAM

to get into English football will only be felt in the coming years.

Many here feel the answer is heavy Government investment in League of Ireland academies, but this is coming at a time when many elsewhere are questioning the value of hothousing youngsters from an early age.

When the likes of Frank Stapleton and David O'Leary came through at Arsenal, it was during an era when rookies could be fast-tracked to the first team fairly quickly.

Now, to get even a minute of first-team action on the pitch is virtually impossible for youngsters.

Premier League clubs - and many in the Championship - essentially go through the motions with Academies. They pump millions into them but, when they need a player, they buy one off the peg.

Managers are under so much pressure that they won't take what they see as a gamble on youngsters.

Players - and their parents - are often sold a fantasy. The unspoken goal with many clubs is to develop players that they can sell, rather than play.

Back in May, 2014, Liverpool came to Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers in a friendly at the Aviva.