With 2023 stretched out ahead of us, we've picked out a rising talent from each of the 20 League of Ireland clubs that could flourish in the new season.
Last year James Abankwah (then at St Pat's, now at Udinese), Cathal Heffernan (then at Cork City, now at AC Milan ) and Alex Murphy (then at Galway United, now at Newcastle United) were three of the bright prospects who made our list.
This year we've taken another look at the best of the young footballers currently developing in the domestic game.
PREMIER DIVISION
1. James McManus (Bohemians)
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
One of Keith Long's last acts as Bohs boss was to hand tough midfielder McManus a three-year deal in August. Capped with the Republic of Ireland up to U-19s level, he's an all-action player with an eye for a pass and good energy. With so many faces leaving the Gypsies over the winter, McManus could have the opportunity to really catch Declan Devine's eye in pre-season.
2. Mark O'Mahony (Cork City)
Age: 17
Position: Forward
The recently crowned Republic of Ireland U-17s player of the year made his first-team debut as a sub against Longford Town in March. After banging in the goals for Colin O'Brien's Ireland U-17s, he went on to play for the U-18s and U-19s, for whom he scored a hat-trick against Gibralatar in September. Cork have a conveyor belt of good talent coming through their academy - O'Mahony is one of their brightest products.
3. Daithi McCallion (Derry City)
Age: 17
Position: Defender
McCallion became the youngest ever Derry player to sign professional terms at the age of 16 a year ago and by April, Ruaidhri Higgins had fast-tracked him to the first team. McCallion has gone on loan to Finn Harps for 2023, where he'll get more minutes and more experience. "He'll still be just 18 when he comes back and I think this season could be huge for him in terms of his own development," said Higgins of the big centre-half.
4. Emre Topcu (Drogheda United)
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Topcu, born and raised in Duleek, Co Meath, made his debut for the Turkey U-18s in early December [his dad is Turkish]. In September, he came off the bench for his Drogs first-team debut against Sligo and boss Kevin Doherty wasted little time in tying him down to a contract until 2024. His presence at the Drogs adds another layer to the club's links to Turkey - they have a strong relationship with Trabzonspor - and there are big hopes Topcu can kick on next season. Given Doherty's tight budget, he'll likely get chances to show what he can do.
5. Ryan O'Kane (Dundalk)
Age: 19
Position: Winger
An exciting talent who thrived after Stephen O'Donnell gave him his chance in absence of the injured Daniel Kelly and Steven Bradley. O'Kane signed a new two-year-deal with his hometown club in October, with O'Donnell saying: "He is a pleasure to work with. He loves the game for its purity and you can see that in the way he plays." Great to watch, O'Kane is already a big fan favourite at Oriel Park.
6. Gideon Tetteh (Shamrock Rovers)
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
It's not long since Tetteh was being coached by Ronan Finn in the Hoops' U-15s. This year he shared a pitch with the veteran, getting Premier Division games under the belt while also getting a taste of European football. Justin Ferizaj had a big year in 2022. Tetteh will hope to have a similar impact over the next 12 months.
7. Jad Hakiki (Shelbourne)
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Hakiki penned a new deal with Shels in June having broken into Damien Duff's first team and taken the step up in his stride. There's more to come. A clever, technically excellent operator, Duff has described the Republic of Ireland U-19 international as "one of the best professionals I have worked with in my whole career".
8. Kailin Barlow (Sligo Rovers)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Barlow signed a new deal with the Bit O'Red in November that ties him to the club until 2025, with boss John Russell hailing him as a player with "huge potential". He broke into the first team this year, getting a taste of some European football along the way as Russell put his faith in the classy playmaker, who played with Johnny Kenny in the Sligo-Leitrim team that reached the final of the Kennedy Cup back in 2017.
9. Thomas Lonergan (St Pat's)
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Lonergan has already announced himself to the league, having helped UCD to survival in a fine campaign after moving to the Students from St Pat's. Despite suffering a bad ankle injury early in the year, he went on to score 11 goals in 21 games, most notably the winner in the promotion/relegation play-off win against Waterford. A number of clubs were circling for his signature, but the Saints won the race to bring him back to Inchicore. His development under Tim Clancy over the next 12 months will be very interesting.
10. Alex Nolan (UCD)
Age: 19
Position: Winger
The UCD conveyor belt keeps churning out fine young talent - and bigger clubs continue to pick them off. Such is the model of the club, but the Students will hope the departure of Tommy Lonergan, Liam Kerrigan and Colm Whelan will allow others to step up. One of those is Nolan, who made good progress last season. Andy Myler will be banking on the wide man to take on a greater responsibility as they aim to preserve their top-flight status in 2023.
FIRST DIVISION
11. Eoin Sheeran (Athlone Town)
Age: 17
Position: Defender/Midfielder
The Republic of Ireland underage international was part of the Athlone U-17s side that won the Mark Farren Cup in October, when they beat Cork City 1-0 in the final. Sheeran was named player of the match afterwards, his already strong reputation further enhanced by a commanding performance.
12. Len O'Sullivan (Bray Wanderers)
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Ian Ryan continues to build his squad for the new season with the acquisition of full-back O'Sullivan - who he managed at Wexford - a solid addition. Still in his teens, O'Sullivan has two years of first-team League of Ireland football behind him, having joined Wexford from Bohemians in 2020. O'Sullivan likes to get forward, has plenty of pace and is an aggressive, front-foot defender.
13. Michael McCarthy (Cobh Ramblers)
Age: 18
Position: Defender
McCarthy is already a regular starter for Cobh Ramblers, his direct, uncompromising style helping him settle into senior football quickly. He's also versatile, capable of playing more centrally while always offering attacking support when out wide.
14. Filip Da Silva (Finn Harps)
Age: 19
Position: Forward
It'll be hard to miss the Brazilian striker in the First Division this season. Da Silva is a strong attacker with a mop of curly black hair and a style of play that's earned him the nickname 'El Matador'. He arrives in Donegal from Norwegian club Ullensaker/Kisa IL, where he scored a lot of goals at underage and reserve level. Can he do the business in Ballybofey? New boss Dave Rogers thinks so. "He has a real presence about him and his technical and tactical abilities are matched by his passion and aggression," he said.
15. Adam O'Halloran (Galway United)
Age: 17
Position: Midfield
O'Halloran moved to from Mervue United two years ago. He has been capped by the Republic of Ireland up to U-17s level and - playing alongside his brother Mark - helped Galway's U-17s to reach the final of the Mark Farren U17 Cup in 2021. He was one of a quartet of academy graduates who made their senior debuts against Longford in October, along with Aaron Neary, Mikey McCullagh and Steven Healy. O'Halloran will be optimistic more opportunities come his way in 2023.
16. Cian Brosnan (Kerry FC)
Age: 18
Position: Forward
Kerry's U-19s were a strong group under the stewardship of Billy Dennehy. Now Dennehy has taken the reins of the seniors for their maiden LOI campaign and he'll no doubt be looking to blood some of the club's best youngsters. The razor-sharp Brosnan was one of the brightest talents in the U-19s last season - a good finisher with great instincts in the penalty box.
17. Owen Elding (Longford Town)
Age: 16
Position: Forward
Elding has been a prolific goalscorer for the midlanders' U-17s, helping them to win the Tier 3 EA Sports National League title this year. He has been developing nicely under the watchful eye of dad Anthony Elding, the recently departed Longford U-17s manager who played in the League of Ireland for Sligo Rovers, Cork City and Derry City. In November Anthony Elding returned to the Bit O'Red to manage their U-17s.
18. Fionn Doherty (Treaty United)
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Last May, Doherty became Treaty's youngest ever player to appear in a senior game when he featured against Waterford. He played his part in Treaty's great run to the FAI Cup semi-final and First Division play-offs, following in the footsteps of Josh Quinlivan as he progressed from the club's U-19s.
19. Dean Larkin (Waterford)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Tramore man Larkin has been with the Blues since 2017 and put pen to paper on a new long-term deal in December. He made his full senior debut in a 2-1 win over Treaty United last August. His older brother Jack had a stint with Waterford before moving to America.
20. Kaylem Harnett (Wexford FC)
Age: 15
Position: Midfield
There are high hopes for the Republic of Ireland U-15s player of he year. Harnett is the youngest player on our list at just 15 years old - but his talent is such that Wexford will be allowing him to train with the seniors in pre-season. The central midfielder has also been deployed at right-back by Ireland U-16s manager Paul Osam. An excellent prospect.
