As the new year approaches robert brennan looks at the young footballing
prospects to keep an eye on in Britain and Ireland.
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 Darren
Quigley (UCD) Goalkeeper: Quigley began at St. Joseph’s Boys, Dublin.
He joined Manchester City as an apprentice but a broken arm curtailed
his progress and he went back home to UCD.
He has been on trial at many Scottish and English clubs, including Falkirk
and Fulham.
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 Seamus
Coleman (Sligo Rovers) Right-back:
Coleman has impressed the Rovers faithful with some classy displays.
He made his Irish U-21 debut as a substitute in the 3-2 win against Sweden
in October.
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 Graham
Gartland (Drogheda United)
Centre-back:
Dubliner Graham featured in the Ireland U-23 fixture against Slovakia
in Dublin having been capped U-18 and U-20 level for Ireland.
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 Michael
Spillane (Norwich City) Defender/
Midfielder:
Comfortable in defence or midfield Spillane signed a three-year contract
with Norwich in June 2006. Captained Ireland at U-17 and U-18 level.
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 Adrian
Moyles (Brentford) Left-back/ wide-left midfield:
London-born Moyles qualifies through his Mayo parents. Played previously
for Chelsea and QPR before joining Brentford in the summer of 2006.
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 Stephen
Gleeson (Wolves) Midfielder:
A midfield playmaker Dubliner Gleeson impressed then Wolves boss Glenn
Hoddle sufficiently to receive a new three-year contract at the start
of May 2006.
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 John-Joe
O’Toole (Watford) Midfielder:
A tough tackling central midfielder, Harrow-born O’Toole has been
a revelation in the Watford midfield.
Qualifies through his grandparents who are from Mayo.
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 James
McCarthy Hamilton Academical Midfield:
The youngest player ever to score for Hamilton Academical.
McCarthy has now played for the Republic of Ireland at U-17 and U-19 levels.
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 Sean
Scannell (Crystal Palace) Winger/striker:
Blessed with frightening pace, Scannell has burst on the scene since Neil
Warnock took over at Palace.
A striker who can also play on the right wing. Capped at U-17 and U-18
level.
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 Caleb
Folan (Hull City) Striker):
Leeds-born, currently playing for Hull City.
In August Folan transferred from Wigan to Hull City for £1million.
Scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Leicester.
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 Leon
Best (Coventry City) Striker:
Nottingham-born Best is a powerful, tall striker who is good at holding
up the ball and whose pace makes him a major threat on the break.
Has reaffirmed his commitment to the Republic of Ireland cause and
admits he has no idea why he has been overlooked for the past three
years.
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And in reserve...
 Darren
Randolph (Charlton Athletic) Goalkeeper:
This powerful goalkeeper is on the books of Charlton Athletic. Spent loans
spells at Accrington Stanley in 2005 and Gillingham in 2006 .
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 Stephen
O’Halloran (Aston Villa) Left-back:
A left-sided defender who broke into the Villa squad for their 2006/2007
pre-season friendlies. The Cork native has represented Ireland at U-21
and senior level.
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 David
Mooney (Longford Town) striker:
Rumoured to have rejected a move to Crystal Palace Mooney was top scorer
in the Eircom League last season with 19 goals in a struggling Longford
Town side.
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 David
Bell (Luton Town) midfielder:
Luton Town midfielder Bell has been the subject of interest from Championship
sides QPR and West Brom and is likely to move in January.
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 Lee
Frecklington (Lincoln City) midfielder:
At 5ft 8in he is not the biggest but he tackles eagerly, closes people
down, gets goal-side and picks up plenty of ball.
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 Chris
McCann (Burnley) Midfielder:
Dubliner McCann is a tall and lean midfielder, possessing a deft left
foot and powerful long shot. Talented but temperamental.
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