Irish Football Aims for a Stronger, More Professional Academy System
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has secured a €3 million boost in Budget 2026 to drive the professionalisation of 26 League of Ireland (LOI) academies. This funding follows the FAI’s existing €6 million annual government support under a memorandum of understanding running until 2027. The new allocation signals a renewed government commitment to developing young Irish talent and strengthening the national club system from the ground up.
How the €3 Million Will Be Allocated
Under the revised plan, the LOI department within the FAI will work with Sport Ireland to determine the precise allocation. League director Mark Scanlon has indicated that the lion’s share—about 81 per cent—will go directly to the clubs themselves. This distribution aims to accelerate the professionalisation of academy operations and create more secure working environments for youth development.
Rationale: Why Invest in Academies Now?
Scanlon asserted that European academy systems are maturing rapidly, with players entering first-team football at younger ages. This shift increases the value of strong academies and creates a more sustainable ecosystem for Irish football. The strategy centers on aligning the LOI academies with modern practices seen across Europe, helping Irish clubs retain and develop talent locally before moving to international opportunities.
Early Successes and the Push for Full-Time Roles
The push to professionalise has already yielded notable transfers, underscoring the potential value of well-run academies. St Patrick’s Athletic signed Mason Melia as a teenager who joined Tottenham Hotspur in January for a reported fee of €1.9 million. Shamrock Rovers also moved a high-potential talent, 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna, to Arsenal for around €2 million. These developments highlight the market demand for high-quality youth players and the importance of robust LOI academies in boosting Irish football’s profile on the European stage.
From €10m Request to €3m Allocation: A Funding rethink
Past conversations with sports ministers saw the LOI funding request reduced from €10 million to €8 million, then to €4.45 million following a government audit of all 26 academies. The latest €3 million allocation, while smaller than the original target, aims to ensure immediate action on key priorities, with a view to ongoing negotiations for increased yearly funding based on performance and audits.
Current State and Future Workforce Plans
At present, the LOI academy network employs around 10 full-time staff overall. For perspective, St Patrick’s Athletic has creatively sustained full-time status by leveraging coaches within other club roles. The original plan envisioned three full-time roles per academy (a director of football, a lead coach, and an administrator). The €3 million allocation narrows this to one or two full-time positions per club, but the long-term intent remains to build a sustainable, professional workforce across all academies.
Next Steps and Looking Ahead
The 26 academies in the LOI network include clubs such as Athlone Town, Bohemians, Cork City, Derry City, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, and St Patrick’s Athletic, among others, plus women’s programmes from DLR Waves and Peamount United. The government funding aligns with a broader push to boost grassroots and youth development across Irish sport. After the budget announcement, the FAI and LOI praised ministers for backing a modern professional academy system that can compete internationally while benefiting communities nationwide.
Long-Term Vision and Governance
Negotiations to increase academy funding will continue, focusing on performance-based gains. Audits will help identify the best-performing academies, which could receive higher levels of support in subsequent years. The broader strategy includes integrating academy development with high-performance pathways and ensuring alignment with national sport goals. The FAI’s leadership has emphasized safeguarding and governance as part of ongoing reforms, underscoring the importance of responsible stewardship while expanding opportunities for young Irish footballers.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a Stronger Irish Game
With €3 million more in Budget 2026 for the LOI academies, Irish football takes an important step toward modernising its youth structure and creating a pipeline of homegrown talent. While the immediate budget is one piece of a longer plan, the results—measured in player development, club stability, and eventual on-field success—will influence Irish football for years to come.
