1. Daryl Horgan
A TRICKY WINGER, he has a very similar style to former Irish international Damien Duff.
The Dundalk winger was named in the PFAI team of the year for 2015 but lost out on the individual prize to former teammate, Richie Towell.
Horgan is a clever player, who rarely gives possession away despite his willingness to take on opposing defenders.
The former Cork City midfielder could follow in the footsteps of James McClean, who took the Premier League by storm after his transfer from Derry City.
2. Jack Byrne
Currently on loan with SC Cambuur in Holland’s Eredivisie, Jack Byrne is the stand-out player on this list.
Byrne is the type of midfielder Irish fans are craving the country to produce. His willingness to get on the ball and find to find a killer pass will endear him to supporters of the Irish team.
He is also a clinical finisher, scoring six goals in eight games in the UEFA Youth League last season. The Dubliner has also expressed a desire to play outside of England, should he not break into Manchester City’s first team. A move he feels that would harness his technical ability.
3. Chris Forrester
After excelling during his time with St. Patrick’s Athletic, Chris Forrester earned a move to League One club Peterborough United in the summer.
Forrester who can play on the wing or more centrally, has been likened to Manchester United’s Michael Carrick by his Peterborough United boss, Graham Westley due to his ability to retain possession and set the pace of a match.
The former Bohemians midfielder scored several spectacular goals during his time at Richmond Park, and has already been among the goals this season for the Posh.
4. Niall Keown
Son of Arsenal and England legend, Martin, Niall qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandmother from Galway and his grandfather from Fermanagh.
Currently with Championship side Reading, the defender can play as either a right-back or in the centre of the defence.
He has many of the characteristics that made his father part of one of the most feared defences in England; a commanding presence, strong in the air and committed attitude.
5. Alan Browne
A regular for both the Irish U21′s and Preston North End, the midfielder has had plenty of first-team experience despite not yet celebrating his 21st birthday.
After joining Preston from Cork City in January 2014, Browne was part of the Preston team that earned promotion from League One. During his time at Deepdale, he has shown that he has excellent energy with an eye for a goal.
After signing a new three-year contract with the club in the summer, it seems that they too believe the best is yet to come from Browne.
6. Daniel Cleary
Amazingly, the 19-year-old defender has been in Liverpool’s academy for the past eight years.
Cleary has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Merseysiders, but was brought on this season’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, by Brendan Rodgers. He was also on the bench for Liverpool’s Europa League match in Bordeaux, in September.
A ball playing centre-back, Cleary will be hoping is progress will not be halted by new boss, Jürgen Klopp.
7. Alan Judge
A familiar name to many, but Judge is still yet to make his senior debut for the national side.
Affectionately known as the ‘Irish Messi’ among Brentford supporters due to having a identical stature as the Argentinean and a similar willingness to take opposing defenders on with his dribbling ability.
A move to a Premier League could be on the cards, with Swansea and Bournemouth rumoured to be interested, the move will catapult him into serious contention of making the Ireland squad for Euro 2016
The 27-year-old is likely to get his first opportunity in the green jersey in a friendly against Switzerland in March.
8. Richie Towell
All Irish eyes will be on Richie Towell in 2016, after he sealed his move to Championship high-flyers Brighton in November.
Despite struggling to make an impact in Scotland with Celtic and Hibernian earlier on in his career, the attacking-midfielder has bounced back, leading Dundalk to league and cup glory in 2015 with 29 goals and winning the PFAI Player of the Year in 2015.
Towell will hoping to replicate his Dundlak form, to help Brighton’s push to the Premier League which may propel him into Martin O’Neill’s squad for the upcoming friendlies.
9. Tommie Hoban
An U21 international, Hoban has found himself out of favour with Watford, since they got promoted to the Premier League, despite having already played over 50 times for the Hornets.
A tall, commanding centre-back, Hoban may need to move away from Watford perhaps temporarily to get much-needed game time.
10. Ian Lawlor
The goalkeeper joined Manchester City in 2010. Standing at 6ft 4in, he has a big physical presence. Lawlor is a regular with both the Irish and Manchester City U21′s and joined the first-team’s pre-season tour of Austria in 2012.
The Home Farm graduate may need to move with Joe Hart, set to be the City goalkeeper for the next decade.
