N.B. We’ve restricted this list to players who are 23 and under.
1. Jack Byrne (Age: 20) — Man City, on loan at Blackburn
BYRNE MADE HIS first senior appearance in English football at the weekend, coming off the bench in Blackburn’s 4-1 loss to Norwich, while he earned plenty of plaudits for his role in the club’s 3-1 League Cup win over Mansfield last night.
2. Chris Forrester (Age: 23) — Peterborough
The Dubliner has made a seamless transition to League One football after joining Peterborough from St Pat’s last season. He was on target in his side’s opening game of the season and has already been made captain of the club.
3. Ryan Sweeney (Age: 19) — Stoke
The London-born defender, who has played for Ireland at U18 level, joined Stoke in the summer, after making 10 appearances for AFC Wimbledon in League Two last season.
4. Eoghan O’Connell (Age: 20) — Celtic
Seems to have caught the eye of new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Cork-born defender O’Connell has been given plenty of game time so far this season, playing in the Scottish club’s Champions League qualifiers, as well as their opening 2-1 league win over Hearts.
5. Kevin Toner (Age: 20) — Aston Villa
The young centre-back earned plenty of praise as he made a couple of Premier League appearances for Villa last season, with caretaker boss Eric Black predicting that the Ireland U19 international would have a career in football.
6. Mark Travers (Age: 17) — Bournemouth
Signed from Cherry Orchard in the summer, the teenage goalkeeper from Lucan, who is an Ireland U18 international, is one to watch out for in future, and will play for Bournemouth’s U21s this season.
7. Olamide Shodipo (Age: 19) — QPR
The Dublin-born winger and Ireland U19 international, who is also eligible to represent Nigeria, made his debut in the Championship for Jimmy Floyd Hassselbaink’s QPR side at the weekend, helping them to a convincing 3-0 win over Leeds in the process.
8. Ian Lawlor (Age: 21) — Man City
The Dubliner impressed during loan spells with Barnet and Bury last season, and will likely be hoping to secure another temporary move away from Man City this season.
9. John Egan (Age: 23) — Brentford
Made the League One team of the season last year and consequently secured a move from Gillingham to Brentford, playing every minute of action in the losses to Huddersfield and Exeter (in the League Cup).
10. Callum O’Dowda (Age: 21) — Bristol City
Impressed in Ireland’s pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Belarus and secured a move from Oxford to Bristol City during the summer. The winger started in his new club’s opening 2-1 Championship victory over Wigan at the weekend, and we will surely see more of him in a green jersey in years to come.
11. Darragh Lenihan (Age: 22) — Blackburn
The midfielder has established himself in the Blackburn first team and played all 90 minutes in their opening 4-1 loss to Norwich. He may also get his chance for Ireland sooner rather than later, particularly if some of the older players such as Glenn Whelan decide to retire from international football.
12. Reece Grego-Cox (Age: 19) — QPR
The teenage striker has already played Premier League football for QPR, though he was restricted to just one Capital One Cup appearance last season, and may have to go on loan to aid his development this season.
13. Alan Browne (Age: 21) — Preston
One of the most promising Irish youngsters in the Championship, the Cork native has been linked with a Premier League move. However, the midfielder signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the Lilywhites back in March.
14. Tommie Hoban (Age: 22) — Watford
Hoban will be hoping for better luck this season, after an injury-ridden campaign last year. He made 30 appearances in all competitions in the 2014-15 season, as the Hornets were promoted from the Championship, but the centre-back has yet to make a single Premier League appearance for Watford and has been linked with loan moves to Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday, while fellow Irish underage starlet, 22-year-old Sean Murray, will also be hoping for some game time at Vicarage Road this season.
15. Anthony Forde (Age: 22) — Rotherham
The Limerick-born winger joined Championship club Rotherham in the summer, having consistently impressed for Walsall in League One last season, becoming new boss Alan Stubbs’ first signing in the process. He made his competitive debut in the team’s 2-2 draw with Wolves at the weekend and scored in their 5-4 League Cup loss against Morecambe last night.
16. Conor Masterson (Age: 18) — Liverpool
Breaking into a team as high-profile as Liverpool won’t be easy, but the Dublin-born centre-back was handed a boost last season when Jurgen Klopp named him on the bench for an FA Cup tie against Exeter.
17. Danny Rogers (Age: 22) — Aberdeen, on loan at Falkirk
Capped by Ireland at U21 level, goalkeeper Rogers made a big impact at Falkirk last season, as he was named in the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year. He will also spend this season on loan at the Scottish club.
18. Aaron O’Driscoll (Age: 17) — Southampton
The former Cherry Orchard player signed his first professional contract with the Saints last July, and the centre-back will start this season with Southampton’s U18 side.
19. Josh Cullen (Age: 20) — West Ham, on loan at Bradford
The midfielder has already made one Premier League appearance off the bench for West Ham and has just re-joined League One side Bradford on loan, having spent the latter half of last season there.
20. Thomas O’Connor (Age: 17) — Southampton
A standout player at schools GAA level, Kilkenny native O’Connor penned his first professional contract for Southampton back in May, having previously featured for their U18 and U21 sides.
21. Lee O’Connor (Age 16) — Man United
Attacking full-back O’Connor was on target as the Boys in Green’s U17 side recently beat Slovenia 3-1. The FAI U15 Player of the Year joined Man United from his local Waterford club back in April.
Which young Irish players are you excited about seeing this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
