Former Republic of Ireland international Graham Barrett indicates that the days of simply regarding the League of Ireland as a fallback for those who fail to make the grade in England have to end.
One by-product of the Republic of Ireland's dismal year at international level is the increased focus on the country's player development structure.
The relative dearth of Irish players now operating at the top level in England has encouraged some to focus inwards, highlighting the League of Ireland as a potentially crucial cog in developing players.
Speaking on the review of the year on RTÉ Radio's Sunday Sport, Barrett returned to the theme of the increasing globalisation of the game in England and the effect that has had in pushing Irish players to the margins.
In that context, he says, it's vital the league in this country is strengthened.
"If you look at the national team and how many of them started their careers in the League of Ireland.
"We need to make sure the league grows and continues to grow. It's going to be even more important in the next 10 to 20 years because football has become so global.
"Most of our best players have always gone to England to play. Sometimes, they're going to have to go a little bit later now.
"It's harder to play at the top clubs in England so it's really, really important that we have a competitive league here so our young players have a place to develop."
Noting that a large proportion of the current Republic of Ireland squad began their careers at League of Ireland clubs, Barrett envisions a future where the obsession with being picked up by an English club as a teenager diminishes and the prospect of staying and developing through the league here becomes a viable option.
"Something has to happen where it's not just a fallback if you can't get to England at 16. That you're nearly making the decision to stay and develop here, become educated here, and play in the League of Ireland before you go (abroad).
"I think parents have always seen the league as a fallback if their kid doesn't get the chance to get to England at 16 or 17.
"There needs to be a proper choice now between going at 16 or staying, waiting for a little bit longer and then going.
"For that to become the mindset of parents, the league needs to get to a place where its functioning properly. And it's not quite there yet.
"There are some really, really good stories. Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers academy is booming, Cork City and Derry City have always worked well in the community in terms of bringing young players through.
"There still isn't enough of it because financially, there's not enough backing to it."
