Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will be casting his net across Europe as the Premier League kicks off on Friday. With young Irish hopefuls increasingly looking away from the English lower leagues to establish themselves, national team staff must monitor players spread from Bulgaria to Turkey.
There is an Irish presence at just seven Premier League clubs this season. Ipswich Town return to the top flight with four regulars in Hallgrimsson’s squad, boosting the tally of players in England. However, the pool remains small, prompting prospects to look further afield.
Ipswich Town are led by captain Dara O'Shea, who serves as a spiritual leader for the newly promoted side. Jack Taylor and Kasey McAteer were both regulars under Kieran McKenna as the club came straight back up from the Championship. Chiedozie Ogbene is also back at Portman Road after spending last season on loan at Sheffield United, and the four will aim to fit into Gary O'Neil's plans.
Brentford add Irish coaches
At Brentford, Damien Duff has joined Keith Andrews on the coaching staff. Andrews confounded expectations in his first season in management, and the partnership of the two former international teammates has grabbed attention. Ireland have also benefited from the relationship Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathan Collins fostered at club level at Brentford, which staff hope will continue to grow.
Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson remains a concern for club and country due to ankle problems. The 21 year old is expected to be out until October after his latest surgery, making a loan move unlikely before then. With Danny Welbeck having left the club, Ferguson may have an opportunity to force his way back into the team under Fabian Hurzeler.
Eiran Cashin has also been given chances by Hurzeler in pre season after spending last year on loan at Blackburn. The defender faces a tough task to dislodge club captain Lewis Dunk or new signing Luka Vuskovic at the back.
Everton and Hull City prospects
Everton retain an Irish interest despite the emotional departure of Seamus Coleman. Jake O'Brien is still being used as a right back, although central defence looks like his best position, and he is set for another season of regular football. Mark Travers continues to act as the understudy to Jordan Pickford.
John Egan has earned another shot at top flight football in the twilight of his career at Hull City. Meanwhile, Cathal McCarthy, a young defender from Kildare who started several games in defence during Hull's promotion bid, has been sent on loan to Kilmarnock.
Newcastle United handed a senior debut to 18 year old Rory Finneran in pre season. Finneran captained the Ireland under 17 team at last November's World Cup in Qatar and impressed in friendlies for Matthias Jaissle's side. The teenager made his senior international debut against Grenada in May, but his club faces a period of flux.
Alan Browne is back at Sunderland having been a regular for Middlesbrough in their failed promotion bid last season. The Black Cats are in Europe this season, which may provide Browne with more opportunities.
Scottish Premiership contingent
There are eight clubs in the Scottish Premiership with Irish players. Aberdeen featured former Shelbourne defender Gavin Molloy 18 times last season, and he came off the bench in their season opener. Connor Ronan, a 27 year old former Wolves midfielder, has joined Aberdeen from the Colorado Rapids. Ronan has previously played in Switzerland and Slovakia, and he feels the move could put him back in contention for Ireland.
Celtic defender Liam Scales celebrated a dramatic title win last season by signing a new deal that keeps the Wicklow native at Parkhead until 2030, remaining a big part of Martin O'Neill's plans. Sligo native Johnny Kenny turned down a return to Bolton to prove himself at Celtic, and Shaun Maloney confirmed he is part of the first team squad.
At Dundee United, full back Will Ferry faces an uncertain future with Anderlecht among clubs monitoring him. Former Shamrock Rovers player Neil Farrugia remains in Jim Goodwin's squad. Hearts defender Oisín McEntee was an integral part of their defence before a premature injury ended his campaign. The Cavan native has already scored this season, using his aerial ability at set pieces.
Loans and transfers in Scotland
Hibernian forward Owen Elding impressed Hallgrimsson at a May training camp, and his early season form has been electric. Jamie McGrath is a key midfielder at Easter Road, alongside former Bohemians defender Warren O'Hora. Over at Kilmarnock, highly rated defender Cathal McCarthy has arrived on loan.
Motherwell have secured 23 year old Joe Hodge, a former Wolves midfielder who played regularly in the Portuguese top flight for Tondela last season. St Mirren feature Killian Phillips, who has been scoring early in the season and hopes to return to the Ireland squad for the first time since Yerevan. Roland Idowu is also a regular for St Mirren.
Players across French and German leagues
In France, Andrew Omobamidele reached the Conference League semi final with Strasbourg under Gary O'Neil last season. The Leixlip native now must impress new manager Hugo Oliveira. Stade Reims, who finished sixth in Ligue 2, feature John Joe Patrick Finn and Ike Orazi. Finn made his Ireland debut in Luxembourg last year, while Orazi arrived from Shamrock Rovers three years ago.
Three Bundesliga clubs have Irish players. TSG Hoffenheim are developing Finn Sherlock, a Cootehill native who starred in the under 17 World Cup, alongside Matthew Moore. Mainz midfielder Paul Nebel was key to pulling his club away from relegation trouble last season. The 23 year old has played for Germany up to under 21 level, but the Football Association of Ireland is tracking him regarding a switch of allegiance.
Schalke 04 have returned to the Bundesliga, which may limit opportunities for Brody Collins, who joined on a four year deal last year.
Alex Murphy made his Premier League debut for Newcastle last season but has been loaned to Kaiserslautern in the German second tier. Anselmo Garcia McNulty has also moved to the second tier with FC Magdeburg after leaving PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie. In the third tier, Conor Noss scored 10 goals for MSV Duisburg last season, but the former Borussia Monchengladbach youth needs to play at a higher level to reach Hallgrimsson's squad.
Italian and Belgian opportunities
In Italy's Serie A, Udinese defender James Abankwah looks set to play a role this season rather than taking a third loan spell at Watford. Torino have signed 16 year old Luke Fitzsimons from the St Patrick's Athletic academy, while Senan Mullen is on a season long loan at Bohemians. Corrie Ndaba started regularly at left back for Lecce as they fought relegation last season.
Aaron Ochoa Moloney, a 19 year old Spanish born international, was a regular for Malaga as they gained promotion to La Liga in Spain. Elsewhere, Real Betis are preparing to offer Troy Parrott a move to La Liga with Champions League football, potentially ending his time at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.
In Belgium, Tayo Adaramola has joined Cercle Bruges on a four year contract. The 22 year old defender ended a 10 year spell at Crystal Palace, recognising that better opportunities exist outside England. Adaramola previously played 14 times in the Pro League for RWD Molenbeek while on loan from Selhurst Park.
Noah Jauny has joined Francs Borains in the Belgian second tier. The under 21 goalkeeper moved to Brest as a 16 year old in 2020 and was on the bench for 10 Champions League games two seasons ago.
Turkey, Bulgaria and Norway
Festy Ebosele has joined newly promoted Erzurumspor in the Turkish Super Lig. The 24 year old Wexford native played over 20 times for Basaksehir last season, helping them secure European football. He previously spent time with Derby, Udinese and Watford. Sinclair Armstrong has also moved to Turkey, joining Goztepe from Bristol City for €2 million. While his transfer was overshadowed by Mo Salah's move to Trabzonspor, the 23 year old Dubliner signed a four year deal and scored in a three all draw away to Samsunspor.
Armstrong Oko-Flex left FC Zurich to join Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria before being bought by Levski Sofia in January. The 23 year old former winger was converted into a striker and won the league with Sofia, placing him on the cusp of Champions League football. In Hungary, Callum O'Dowda remains at Ferencvaros after Robbie Keane's departure, appearing on the left wing in early season games. Finally, Trent Kone-Doherty has played 13 times for Molde in Norway's Eliteserien. The Derry native, who turned 20 in June, has scored twice and created two more goals.
