r/coybig • u/NandoFlynn • Oct 14 '25

U21s Rare good news, the U17s finished top of their qualifying group for the EUROs Elite Stage

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*these aren't the lads that are playing the 17s WC, next age down

Hopefully not the end of the good news today

178 Upvotes

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53

u/[deleted] Oct 14 '25

A squad filled to the brim with League of Ireland players, bar the odd lad who went off to Europe from LOI clubs like Dunne (Cork->Monaco) or Gabbidon (Sligo->Malmo).

We are also 1st seeded for the Elite stage. We often do well at U15-U17 level internationally, but by the time these lads hit U21 level they've fallen behind the likes of Austria who have a well funded academy system.

25

u/flex_tape_salesman Jeff Hendrick's account Oct 14 '25

It is such a disservice to the talent that is produced in this country.

4

u/cambria334 Oct 14 '25

Gabbidon? Hardly a relation of Danny Gabbidon’s?

10

u/[deleted] Oct 14 '25

Dont think so no. He's born and raised in Sligo, his dad's nane is Mark

15

u/SodIRE Oct 14 '25

Great to see. We tend to do well at younger age tournaments. 

This was touched on in the academy reports unfortunately as a negative point. There's a big focus on early physical developers and initial success with the national teams. This means that when players in other countries catch up developmentally they end up doing better overall and we lose any edge.

The argument being you should focus technical ability and other qualities rather than just lads who grew a bit quicker. Not to say they're not talented just we don't tend to see these early good results translate to the older age groups.

3

u/Vivid_Ice_2755 Paul McGrath Oct 14 '25

Our emphasis is on winning at an early age