Mick McCarthy’s first international window since his return to Ireland has come and gone, and it’s left us feeling, dare we say it, positive for the future.
A win in tough conditions against Gibraltar was given the benefit of the doubt, before the performance against Georgia at the Aviva pleased and excited the majority of Irish fans, with the team looking well shaped, assured, and confident.
That said, one old failing looks set to haunt McCarthy as it did Martin O’Neill. Ireland just don’t score enough goals.
Scoring one at home to Georgia isn’t ideal. Scoring one in any game against Gibraltar is unacceptable. It’s a long term problem. In Ireland’s last 13 internationals, they’ve scored just seven goals. Of those seven, only two were scored by strikers, Graham Burke and Aiden O’Brien. You have to go back to Daryl Murphy’s brace against Moldova in October 2017 to find another forward on the scoresheet.
It’s fair to say Ireland still haven’t exactly replaced Robbie Keane.
But with the focus clearly on the future, who is coming through the ranks that might someday fill that void?
Troy Parrott
The Dubliner started his career at Belvedere and represented the DDSL. He currently is at Tottenham Hotspur and has been called up to the first team already having just turned 17. What Ireland need is goals and the Spurs man is a prolific scorer.
- 11 goals in 7 games in the Under 18 Premier League this season
- 3 goals in the UEFA Youth League including goals against Inter Milan and Barcelona
- A hat trick in 27 minutes against Faroe islands for the Ireland Under 19s
Adam Idah
Just turned 18, the Cork man appeared for Stephen Kenny’s Under 21s against Luxembourg last week and looked the part. Idah has been scoring for fun for the Norwich City reserves this season and could even feature in the Premier League next season.
- 12 goals in 18 appearences in Premier League 2 this season
- Top scorer in Premier League 2
- Scored debut brace for Ireland Under 21s against Luxemboug.
Ryan Cassidy
Ryan signed for Watford from St. Kevin’s and has shown impressive form since. At the age of 16, he was among the top scorers in the U18 League 2, with 12 goals in his first 14 games.
- Scored 25 goals for Watford underage teams in his debut season
- 12 goals this season
- Has led Watford on an unlikely run to the FA Youth Cup semi final.
- Playing regular u23 football at age of just 17.
- Signed his first professional contract
- Tipped by Troy Deeney to make breakthrough at Watford.
Aaron Connolly
Unlike the others, the 19-year-old Connolly has chosen to go on loan to play some first team football at Luton town after impressive form for Brighton’s Academy.
- 30 goals in 42 games for Brighton’s academy.
- 11 goals in 15 games in Premier League 2 this season
- 7 goals for Ireland Under 17s
