The 2024 League of Ireland season is underway and there is no shortage of youngsters to keep an eye on over the course of the campaign.
There are a number of players that will look to follow on from the success of the likes of Sam Curtis, whose performances for St. Patrick's Athletic last season earned him the PFAI Young Player of the Year award and a move to Sheffield United.
Here are some of the names who we thinking you will be hearing a lot more of this season.
Mason Melia - St. Patrick's Athletic
League of Ireland fans have been aware of Melia's talents for some time and St. Pat's have shown faith in the youngster by handing him the number nine shirt for the season.
Melia showed nerves of steel on his 16th birthday back in September, by stepping up to take a 98th-minute penalty against Derry City in a game that was televised live by Virgin Media.
He also scored a spot kick against the same opposition in a penalty shootout on the Saints' journey to lifting the FAI Cup at the Aviva Stadium in November.
𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐀!!! 🔴⚪️
What a way to mark your 16th birthday!
A brilliant moment at Richmond Park!#PATDUN | #LOI | @stpatsfc pic.twitter.com/4PsCzaMHFp— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 22, 2023
Romeo Akachukwu - Waterford
Catch the the 17-year-old Waterford starlet while you can because reports suggest he'll be making a €500,000 move to Southampton this summer.
Akachukwu's hat-trick against Athlone Town secured Waterford's place in the play-off final last season, where they would go on to beat Cork City and secure promotion to the Premier Division.
16 February 2024; Romeo Akachukwu of Waterford during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Shelbourne at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Conan Noonan - Shamrock Rovers
The 21-year-old Shamrock Rovers man has already made an impact this season, setting up Trevor Clarke's opening goal in the President's Cup victory over St. Pat's with a brilliant pass.
He was arguably the best player on the night and kept his place in Stephen Bradley's starting XI for the opening league draw with Dundalk.
Noonan missed the 2022 season with long Covid before playing a bit-part role in the 2023 campaign, and he looks well-placed to have a breakthrough year in 2024.
Trevor Clarke opens the scoring in the President's Cup!
SHA 1-0 PAT
📺 LOITV https://t.co/KTN7o8CjVn
📱 FAI Connect app#LOI24 | #SHAPAT pic.twitter.com/SmrVAyJMBg— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 9, 2024
James McManus - Bohemians
McManus was a standout performer for Bohemians in 2023 and he'll look to carry that form into the 2024 campaign.
The midfielder will turn 19 in March and his displays in the early part of last season were all the more impressive given that he was simultaneously preparing to sit his Leaving Cert in June.
An FAI Cup Final appearance followed at the end of the season and he enters this campaign with greater responsibility in the absence of injured club captain Keith Buckley.
12 November 2023; James McManus of Bohemians during the Sports Direct FAI Cup Final between Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Mayowa Animasahun - Dundalk
The centre-back came through the Bohemians underage system before joining Dundalk in 2021.
Animasahun signed a new deal in January after impressing on loan at Dungannon Swifts during the NIFL side's 2022/23 campaign.
Lilywhites boss Stephen O'Donnell reiterated his faith in the 20-year-old by starting him at Tallaght Stadium in the 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers on the opening night of this season.
16 February 2024; Rory Gaffney of Shamrock Rovers and Mayowa Animasahun of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Jaden Umeh - Cork City
We round off our list with a nod to the First Division and Jaden Umeh of Cork City.
The 15-year-old became the club's youngest top flight player after he came off the bench against Bohemians last November, with Cork's spot in the relegation play-off already confirmed.
The striker has impressed for Ireland at under-16 level, with talk of Benfica wanted to taking him to Portugal once he turns 16.
Umeh once again appeared as a sub against Kerry FC on the opening night of the season and Cork City's First Division status should ensure plenty more opportunities over the course of the campaign.
Jaden Umeh - graduate of the Ringmahon Rangers academy - came off the bench for Cork City tonight.
He's 15 years old.
No wonder the likes of Benfica are interested in signing him. pic.twitter.com/wK15MYY0Wj— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 16, 2024
