This summer has seen several Irish players make great impressions while on pre-season with big clubs and we could be entering something of a renaissance for Irish football.

While Irish football fans may not exactly be brimming with confidence at present, the sheer volume of highly-rated youngsters in or around the Irish youth set up should be a cause for optimism.

With this new wave of young footballers rising through the ranks, we profile a potential starting XI for the next Irish ‘golden generation’ and select a 2022 World Cup squad in the hope that these players will continue their progression.

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Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)

With a name designed to confuse the Kop, Caoimhin Kelleher has finally tasted first-team action, albeit in pre-season where he has impressed. The Corkman could end up as Liverpool’s second or third choice keeper for the coming season.

He was involved in the Irish under-21s as understudy to Kieran O’Hara and looks the real deal. O’Hara (Manchester United) and Man City bound 16-year-old Gavin Bazunu (Shamrock Rovers) are two other exciting prospects.

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Right-Back: Lee O’Connor (Manchester United)

Although primarily a full back, Lee O’Connor has featured on the wing for Ireland at under age level given his powerful attacking traits. Another to have captained his club in the youth ranks and at the age of 17 broke into Manchester United’s under-23 side.

Will most likely be moulded into an attacking full-back and could take over the mantle from Seamus Coleman in years to come. Corey Whelan of Liverpool is another great prospect and has captained the Reds at underage level, he is one of the under-21s most consistent performers.

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Centre-Back: Conor Masterson (Liverpool)

Like Whelan, Lucan’s Conor Masterson has captained Liverpool’s youth sides and looks like he has the composure and ball playing ability necessary for playing as a modern day centre half.

Featured on Liverpool’s bench in the Champions League against Manchester City and seems set to step up to Noel King’s under-21 side. Will hope to secure a loan move this season and could follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold in making the breakthrough as one of Jurgen Klopp’s favourites.

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Centre Back: Ryan Nolan (Inter Milan)

Banner man Ryan Nolan made headlines last month when he made his first team debut for Inter Milan, following in the footsteps of Ireland legends Liam Brady and Robbie Keane. Primarily a centre-half, Nolan like Masterson is excellent at playing it out from the back.

Has worryingly been overlooked by Ireland which is a concern given that he is eligible for Spain, Nolan is another Noel King needs to tie down ASAP.

Authoritive Ryan Sweeney at Stoke is another who should progress onto senior level, as could Burnley’s Jimmy Dunne.

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Left-Back: Tyreke Wilson (Manchester City)

Another to travel with the first team on pre-season, former Cherry Orchard man Tyreke Wilson is highly regarded by Pep Guardiola. Still only 18, Wilson plays in Ireland’s problem position of left-back and can take inspiration from Greg Cunningham who broke into the City side under Roberto Mancini, only for injuries to hamper his progress.

Shamrock Rovers Trevor Clarke also looks like an excellent prospect and has played left back and on the wing.

Centre Midfield: Ryan Johansson (Bayern Munich)

Reportedly only just on board but Ryan Johansson is certainly a player to get excited about if his declaration proves true. The triple national midfielder who also qualifies for Sweden and Luxembourg has impressed so much in the Bayern ranks that he has featured in their first team this pre-season.

Bayern tend to blood their youth team players making it an ideal club for a youngster of Johansson’s potential.

Jayson Mulumby (Brighton) and Harry Charsley (Everton) are other midfield prospects as in the outstanding Aaron Bolger of Shamrock Rovers.

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Centre Midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham United)

A man many are already familiar with, Declan Rice has made a rapid ascent at West Ham and judging by their pre season’s fixtures could spend a lot of the season in midfield. Has looked like Ireland’s best player on the pitch on the last three senior outings and could juggle Martin O’Neill’s side with U21 duty this coming season.

Club mate Josh Cullen is another genuinely exciting talent who could feature for both the first team’s of West Ham and Ireland this season. Jack Byrne (Oldham) is another who could also come good despite recent struggles and is still only 22.

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Centre Midfield: Connor Ronan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

A genuinely exciting prospect, Connor Ronan is one of the highest regarded youngsters in under-23 circles in England and looks set to represent Ireland. Having shown glimpses of excellence against Manchester City in the League Cup, the Rochdale-born youngster gave his manager Nuno something to think about.

A fantastic passer with the ability to carry the ball forward, Ronan could make a senior breakthrough sooner rather than later.

Jake Doyle-Hayes (Aston Villa) is another exciting attacking midfielder, as are Kian Flanagan (Crystal Palace) and Nathan Tormey (Arsenal).

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Striker: Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur)

Having come through the famous Belvedere academy system, Troy Parrott is fresh from signing his first professional contract at just sixteen. Shone for the Ireland under-17s in the brave European Championship campaign and seems most comfortable in the number 10 position.

Possibly the most exciting prospect on this extremely talented team and if Parrott’s progress continues, he could be fast-tracked to the under-21s.

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Striker: Armstrong Okoflex (Celtic)

Dublin born Okoflex is another who qualifies for other countries and represented both England and

Ireland last year although there have been suggestions that he is leaning towards green. The former Arsenal man is lightning quick on the ball and has a box of tricks Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud

of.

A left footer, the 16-year-old can operate on either wing or as a striker.

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Centre Forward: Adam Idah (Norwich City)

Ireland are blessed with gifted strikers at underage level with Glenn McAuley (Liverpool ), Jordan McEneff (Arsenal), Michael Obafemi (Southampton) and goal machine Ryan Cassidy (Watford) all making serious impressions in England, Obafemi even making his Premier League debut last season.

However, the best all-rounder seems to be Cork man Adam Idah. An expert at holding the ball up and an

instinctive finisher, Idah has been compared to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Manchester United

seemingly keeping close tabs on the forward.

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With the above in mind, it’s now time to select a potential World Cup Squad for Qatar 2022. The ages of the players at World Cup time follows in brackets.

1. Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool) GK (23)

2. Seamus Coleman (Everton) DF (34)

3. Tyreke Wilson (Manchester City)DF (22)

4. Ryan Nolan (Inter Milan) DF (23)

5. Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion) DF (30)

6. Declan Rice (West Ham United) DF/MD (23)

7. Josh Cullen (West Ham United) MD (26)

8. James McCarthy (Everton)MD (31)

9. Adam Idah (Norwich City) ST (21)

10. Robbie Brady (Burnley) DF/MD (30)

11. James McClean (Stoke City) MD (33)

12. Lee O’Connor (Manchester United) DF/MD (22)

13. Jeff Hendrick (Burnley) MD (30)

14. Conor Masterson (Liverpool) DF (23)

15. Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United) DF (33)

16. Kieran O’Hara (Manchester United) GK (26)

17. Troy Parrot (Tottenham Hotspur) MD/ST (20)

18. Ryan Johansson (Bayern Munich)MD (21)

19. Sean Maguire (Preston North End) ST (28)

20. Connor Ronan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) MD (24)

21. Armstrong Okoflex (Celtic) MF/ST (20)

22. Corey Whelan (Liverpool) DF (24)

23. Gavin Bazunu (Shamrock Rovers- joining Manchester City in 2019) GK (20)

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Did we miss anyone? Let us know!

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