THE LEAGUE OF Ireland route is offering hope to young footballers who may not initially make it at clubs across the water, according Robbie Keane.
Ireland’s current team is littered with players who cut their teeth at senior level in the domestic game before making the switch to Britain including Seamus Coleman, Wes Hoolahan, James McClean, David Meyler and Stephen Ward.
Over the past year, former Dundalk pair Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle were called up by Martin O’Neill and subsequently earned deals with Preston North End.
Meanwhile, Cork City striker Sean Maguire, who returned home after being released by West Ham in 2015, has recently been linked with both a big move and inclusion in the Ireland squad for this summer’s friendly matches thanks to his blistering form.
Former Ireland skipper Keane, is glad to see recognition for the game here as players use it as a springboard to launch, or relaunch, their careers.
“The great thing that we’ve seen over the last few years is that players from the League Of Ireland are getting opportunities to play in England,” said Keane.
“Is your best chance of playing in the Irish team playing in England? We all know that’s the case, of course, there’s no question about that.
“If someone is playing in the Premier League or the League Of Ireland, that’s no disrespect at all to the League of Ireland, but the one playing in the Premier League is going to get a call up before the other.
“I mean you’re playing in the biggest league in the world, and I think if League of Ireland players have an opportunity to go to England everybody would want them to take it.
“It’s great if they do well over there, and it’s a good platform for the League of Ireland.
People are recognising that now. Look at how many players in and around the Ireland squad who played in the League of Ireland and are now playing in England.
“It certainly gives hope to younger players to know that if they get let go by a club in England and they sign for the likes of Cork City or Shamrock Rovers, it’s not the end.
“I think they should take a leaf from people like Seamus [Coleman] and realise that they still have an opportunity to go to England if they want to.”
On the subject of his former international team-mate Coleman, who is currently recovering from a double leg-break, Keane reveals that he got in touch with the man who succeeded him as Ireland skipper soon after the incident.
“He will be a huge loss because listening to the people that are still very close to the Irish set-up, and looking myself from the outside, you could see that he was getting very comfortable with being the captain and the leader,” adds Keane.
“He’s a top player but then this happens to him and it’s just devastating news. I text him straight after it happened and wished him a speedy recovery.
“It’s going to be a long road back but he’s got a mental toughness that will help him get through it, I’ve no doubt about that. All I can do is wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he gets back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Aer Lingus ambassador Robbie Keane was at Dublin Airport today to launch Aer Lingus’ big North American sale, offering travel enthusiasts €100 off direct, return flights to all US cities and Toronto. Book your trip stateside by midnight 8 May at aerlingus.com to avail of this special offer
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