Standing in the reception area of Ashfield College in Dundrum, Aaron Bolger and Dean Dillon look like regular teenage students.
They have bags on their backs and are casually chatting with those around them.
But they aren't regular students, they are footballers too and they have just come from Roadstone where their team Shamrock Rovers train.
The way forward! The Shamrock Rovers Academy encourages its players to complete their education while also maintaining their commitments to football. Take a look. #soccerrepublic pic.twitter.com/HHA6bzu3OK
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) September 10, 2018
Bolger and Dillon are finished in Ashfield College now, having just completed their Leaving Cert but they are back to talk about the year that they have just finished.
"It brings back the nightmares," jokes Bolger and you can see why he might think that.
The last twelve months have been hectic for the boys. They have played professional football with the Shamrock Rovers first team and have also been in school full-time.
This means a lot of time management and organisation. Their day started with training at Rovers base on the Naas road at 10am, a full session just like the other squad members.
The session would finish at 12.30 but the work for Dillon and Bolger was far from over.
They would then have a quick lunch then get a lift to Dundrum for their classes at Ashfield College, their time table was structured so that they could fit all their requirements into the afternoon. They had classes right up until 5pm and then studied for an hour or sometimes two.
"I'm from Arklow but I moved in with my Nanny in Bray, it was great she would collect me from school at 8pm and she would drag me up in the morning she was a great support," explained Bolger.
"It was hard but it was enjoyable, the football was anyway. The study was enjoyable sometimes. I knew I just had to get it done, I wanted to have something behind me, an education. I'd be wrecked when I got home, straight to sleep.
"I could have went to England when I was 16 but my family and I sat down and talked about it and decided it was best to stay here and go through with Rovers.
"I don't think I was ready to go away at 16, I was very immature, the experience of playing football and doing the Leaving was really good. I think playing here against men will really develop you too."
Dillon recently went out on loan to Longford but still trains in the mornings with Shamrock Rovers, like Bolger he feels lucky to have been given the opportunity to play and study in Dublin, so close to his home in Clondalkin.
"I got the best of both worlds, it was a full-time education and a full-time football," explained Dillon.
"It was hard though, it was a shock at the start trying to get used to everything, training was tiring. But after a few weeks I got used to it and it became second nature.
"You have to set your day, bring your school books, all the right school stuff with you in the mornings and your training gear as well.
"I'm so glad I stuck with it, at times it was very difficult but now I'm just very grateful for the opportunity. Everything is there for you but it's up to you then to take advantage of it."
Back at base in Roadstone there are plenty of watchful eyes kept on the young players. Shane Robinson is director of the Academy at the Club.
He helped to get this initiative off the ground and has seen how it worked from a practical point of view.
"For the boys it was difficult having to manage their time and their day, play football, recover, study and get to bed. It was difficult but it was a great lifeskill to get. They know how to manage their time well now.
"Both boys showed the potential that they could play in the first team, they could benefit from being in the first team, then it was about finding a model that would work so that the boys could get their education and play with us too.
"We visited a few countries and found this model suited us. To be able to get them through the Leaving Cert and to not have to leave this country, their families, friends and their lives was great.
"It shows that it can be done, these are the first two boys that have done it and we are extremely proud of them. They have their Leaving Cert done and can now concentrate on football."
Former Leeds United footballer Stephen McPhail is part of the set-up at Shamrock Rovers, he is the Director of Football.
At 15 he left Ireland to embark on a professional career in England, he knows how difficult it can be to leave home at such a young age.
"I went at 15, I think I was too young. This system at Rovers gives players a great platform to study and play football.
"We have to make sure they are ready when we put them in there but it’s a great platform for them to play European football, men’s football and to grow up quick.
"Being a footballer isn’t easy, people think you just stroll through it but you never ever do. You need to do your work and you need to do the hard graft.
"Being at home gives you great stability, it gives you someone to talk to to. When I was 15 or 16 we had no mobile phones it was hard, you go back to your room and you are over thinking small details.
"But here you have your mam and dad and brothers and sisters to bounce things off and try and have a normal life.
"Now that we have seen how it works with the lads we will try and progress it and try to build the numbers up. It will give players a choice too so they don’t head to England too early."
Gavin Bazunu is also in the school, he is on the brink of a big move to Manchester City but will finish his Leaving Cert first and continue to train with the Dublin outfit.
