N.B. Any player under the age of 24 is eligible for this list
1. Sean Hoare (St Pat’s) — 21
Source: Donall Farmer / INPHO
THE DEFENDER HAS established himself in the St Pat's side after coming through their youth ranks, and the player has been linked with a move across the water in recent transfer windows, with Swindon and Portsmouth understood to be among the clubs tracking his progress of late.
2. Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) -- 21
Source: Morgan Tryky / Info
Joined Shamrock Rovers after being let go by Newcastle (he also briefly played for Bluebell United), Miele enjoyed a highly impressive first year at Tallaght Stadium, as 11 goals led to him being named the PFAI Young Player of the Year for last season.
3. Sean Maguire (Cork City) -- 21
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Once compared to Lionel Messi, Maguire was signed by Cork pre-season following a brief spell at Dundalk. He previously joined West Ham after impressing with Waterford United, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances in the First Division.
Another player who has attracted interest from across the water, both Peterborough and Brentford have been linked with the player in the past. His previous injury problems reportedly put the former off signing him, but Dundalk elected to snap up the forward, who made over 100 appearances over the course of five years at Derry.
5. Roberto Lopes (Bohemians) -- 23
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Lopes, who can play defence and midfield, has been at Bohs since 2009. Already vice captain, he was a regular part of the side of the side that finished fifth last season.
6. Eoghan O'Connell (Cork City, on loan from Celtic) -- 20
Cousin of recently retired Irish rugby star Paul O'Connell, the centre-back has already played a couple of times for Celtic and also had a loan spell at Oldham, before recently agreeing to link up with his hometown club on loan.
The midfielder has been at Cork since 2012, already making close to 100 appearances for John Caulfield's side and recently signing a new two-year contract. He will be aiming to help the club go one better than their second-place finish last season.
8. Ayman Ben Mohamed (Bohemians) -- 21
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Previously of UCD and Longford Town, Tunisia-born midfielder Ayman Ben Mohamed featured regularly in a Longford side that finished sixth last year.
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9. Robbie Benson (Dundalk) -- 23
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Signed by Dundalk at the same time as McEleney, Benson caught the eye playing for UCD last year. Described by Stephen Kenny as a "natural footballer," Benson will be hoping to help fill the void in the wake of Richie Towell's departure to Brighton.
10. John Kavanagh (Cork City) -- 21
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Injuries have curtailed his progress in recent times, but Kavanagh is still considered one of the league's best prospects. Likened by some to former Cork youngster Brian Lenihan who now plays for Hull, the defender is likely to play a crucial role as Cork bid to launch a sustained title challenge.
Curran helped secure Galway's top-flight survival with 12 goals last season and bigger clubs may come calling if he can produce a similar level of performance this time around.
One of the heroes of Finn Harps' promotion as his goal sealed an extra-time win against Limerick, the South Africa-born teenage striker will only get better as he gains more first-team experience in the Premier Division.
13. Lee Desmond (St Pat's) -- 21
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
A youth footballer with Newcastle previously, Desmond joined St Pat's from Shelbourne last season and the Ireland U21 international was a regular at full-back as his side finished fourth last season.
14. Ryan Swan (UCD) - 19
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The teenage striker scored three goals in UCD's unlikely Europa League success last season, earning him the SWAI Player of the Month award for July, while also grabbing 12 goals in the league last year. Still very much a raw talent, Swan will nonetheless be hoping his goals can help propel the Students back to the top flight this season.
The Kilkenny-born former Aston Villa youth has been a revelation since signing for Rovers, managing 11 goals in 18 appearances last season. A regular in the Irish underage set-up, Drennan is expected to be a key attacker at Tallaght Stadium again this season.
Previously a hot prospect at Limerick, young attacker Clarke joined Rovers at the same time as the similarly promising Gary Shaw signed on from Longford. Both will be hoping to help Pat Fenlon's youthful squad recapture past glories, after a few underwhelming seasons.
The ex-Cherry Orchard youngster has featured in midfield for St Pat's since the 2014 campaign and has also caught the eye for Ireland at underage level. Not altogether dissimilar to previous Pat's star Chris Forrester, McGrath could have a big influence for Liam Buckley’s side in the coming campaign.
The Nigerian-born footballer is already well accustomed to playing in the League of Ireland, having made close to 100 appearances for Bray and Bohs respectively. He was also nominated for Young Player of the Year last season after proving a big hit with the Dublin-based side.
19. Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) -- 23
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Already one of the best attacking players in the league, Horgan has played an integral role in Dundalk's recent successes and may well follow former teammate Richie Towell to England if he can maintain a similar level this season. The Galway native signed a new contract with Stephen Kenny's side back in December, despite being linked with a number of teams abroad, including Peterborough and Dutch side Den Haag.
20. Jaanai Gordon (Sligo, on loan from West Ham) -- 20
The Mayo-born teenage attacker recently joined Galway from Wolves, after spending two-and-a-half years at the English side. A regular in the Irish underage set-up also, Deevers will be hoping to help Tommy Dunne’s side improve on last season's 10th-place finish.
22. Dylan Connolly (Bray) -- 20
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
The Ireland U21 winger was snapped up by Ipswich last year after impressing at Shelbourne. Connolly was subsequently let go by Mick McCarthy's side and has returned to Ireland with Bray ahead of the new season.
23. Ryan McConnell (Finn Harps) -- 20
A former Man United U18s captain, big things are expected of Donegal native McConnell after he signed with newly promoted Finn Harps back in November.
Who should we have included? Let us know in the comments section below.
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The next Chris Forrester? 23 young players to watch out for in the League of Ireland this season
N.B. Any player under the age of 24 is eligible for this list
1. Sean Hoare (St Pat’s) — 21
THE DEFENDER HAS established himself in the St Pat's side after coming through their youth ranks, and the player has been linked with a move across the water in recent transfer windows, with Swindon and Portsmouth understood to be among the clubs tracking his progress of late.
2. Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers) -- 21
Joined Shamrock Rovers after being let go by Newcastle (he also briefly played for Bluebell United), Miele enjoyed a highly impressive first year at Tallaght Stadium, as 11 goals led to him being named the PFAI Young Player of the Year for last season.
3. Sean Maguire (Cork City) -- 21
Once compared to Lionel Messi, Maguire was signed by Cork pre-season following a brief spell at Dundalk. He previously joined West Ham after impressing with Waterford United, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances in the First Division.
4. Patrick McEleney (Dundalk) -- 23
Another player who has attracted interest from across the water, both Peterborough and Brentford have been linked with the player in the past. His previous injury problems reportedly put the former off signing him, but Dundalk elected to snap up the forward, who made over 100 appearances over the course of five years at Derry.
5. Roberto Lopes (Bohemians) -- 23
Lopes, who can play defence and midfield, has been at Bohs since 2009. Already vice captain, he was a regular part of the side of the side that finished fifth last season.
6. Eoghan O'Connell (Cork City, on loan from Celtic) -- 20
Cousin of recently retired Irish rugby star Paul O'Connell, the centre-back has already played a couple of times for Celtic and also had a loan spell at Oldham, before recently agreeing to link up with his hometown club on loan.
7. Garry Buckley (Cork City) -- 22
The midfielder has been at Cork since 2012, already making close to 100 appearances for John Caulfield's side and recently signing a new two-year contract. He will be aiming to help the club go one better than their second-place finish last season.
8. Ayman Ben Mohamed (Bohemians) -- 21
Previously of UCD and Longford Town, Tunisia-born midfielder Ayman Ben Mohamed featured regularly in a Longford side that finished sixth last year.
9. Robbie Benson (Dundalk) -- 23
Signed by Dundalk at the same time as McEleney, Benson caught the eye playing for UCD last year. Described by Stephen Kenny as a "natural footballer," Benson will be hoping to help fill the void in the wake of Richie Towell's departure to Brighton.
10. John Kavanagh (Cork City) -- 21
Injuries have curtailed his progress in recent times, but Kavanagh is still considered one of the league's best prospects. Likened by some to former Cork youngster Brian Lenihan who now plays for Hull, the defender is likely to play a crucial role as Cork bid to launch a sustained title challenge.
11. Enda Curran (Galway) -- 23
Curran helped secure Galway's top-flight survival with 12 goals last season and bigger clubs may come calling if he can produce a similar level of performance this time around.
12. BJ Banda (Finn Harps) -- 17
One of the heroes of Finn Harps' promotion as his goal sealed an extra-time win against Limerick, the South Africa-born teenage striker will only get better as he gains more first-team experience in the Premier Division.
13. Lee Desmond (St Pat's) -- 21
A youth footballer with Newcastle previously, Desmond joined St Pat's from Shelbourne last season and the Ireland U21 international was a regular at full-back as his side finished fourth last season.
14. Ryan Swan (UCD) - 19
The teenage striker scored three goals in UCD's unlikely Europa League success last season, earning him the SWAI Player of the Month award for July, while also grabbing 12 goals in the league last year. Still very much a raw talent, Swan will nonetheless be hoping his goals can help propel the Students back to the top flight this season.
15. Mikey Drennan (Shamrock Rovers) -- 22
The Kilkenny-born former Aston Villa youth has been a revelation since signing for Rovers, managing 11 goals in 18 appearances last season. A regular in the Irish underage set-up, Drennan is expected to be a key attacker at Tallaght Stadium again this season.
16. Dean Clarke (Shamrock Rovers) -- 22
Previously a hot prospect at Limerick, young attacker Clarke joined Rovers at the same time as the similarly promising Gary Shaw signed on from Longford. Both will be hoping to help Pat Fenlon's youthful squad recapture past glories, after a few underwhelming seasons.
17. Jamie McGrath (St Pat's) -- 19
The ex-Cherry Orchard youngster has featured in midfield for St Pat's since the 2014 campaign and has also caught the eye for Ireland at underage level. Not altogether dissimilar to previous Pat's star Chris Forrester, McGrath could have a big influence for Liam Buckley’s side in the coming campaign.
18. Ismahil Akinade (Bohemians) - 22
The Nigerian-born footballer is already well accustomed to playing in the League of Ireland, having made close to 100 appearances for Bray and Bohs respectively. He was also nominated for Young Player of the Year last season after proving a big hit with the Dublin-based side.
19. Daryl Horgan (Dundalk) -- 23
Already one of the best attacking players in the league, Horgan has played an integral role in Dundalk's recent successes and may well follow former teammate Richie Towell to England if he can maintain a similar level this season. The Galway native signed a new contract with Stephen Kenny's side back in December, despite being linked with a number of teams abroad, including Peterborough and Dutch side Den Haag.
20. Jaanai Gordon (Sligo, on loan from West Ham) -- 20
One of the more left-field pre-season signings, young striker Gordon joins Sligo on loan from West Ham. He previously signed for the Hammers after making his senior debut for Peterborough as a 16-year-old.
21. Jesse Devers (Galway) -- 19
The Mayo-born teenage attacker recently joined Galway from Wolves, after spending two-and-a-half years at the English side. A regular in the Irish underage set-up also, Deevers will be hoping to help Tommy Dunne’s side improve on last season's 10th-place finish.
22. Dylan Connolly (Bray) -- 20
The Ireland U21 winger was snapped up by Ipswich last year after impressing at Shelbourne. Connolly was subsequently let go by Mick McCarthy's side and has returned to Ireland with Bray ahead of the new season.
23. Ryan McConnell (Finn Harps) -- 20
A former Man United U18s captain, big things are expected of Donegal native McConnell after he signed with newly promoted Finn Harps back in November.
Who should we have included? Let us know in the comments section below.
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