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Why the number of Ireland players in the Premier League is good news for Irish football

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The number of total minutes for Irish players in the Premier League saw a significant rise this season – but there’s a catch.

Irish involvement in the English top-flight has been on the slide for years, with the 2022/23 season marking the first time there were no Irish players in any of the starting XIs across a full round of matches.

Irish players amassed a whopping 60,000 minutes of action across the 1992/93 campaign, itself the first after the old First Division was rebranded.

The number of total minutes for Irish players in the Premier League this season is massively on the up this season. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

That figure has been on the slide for years, plummeting as low as 9,940 minutes – across 14 players – last season but the most recent campaign has brought this stagnation to an end.

But there’s a catch:

Irish players in the Premier League: 2023/24

With the latest Premier League campaign complete, we now know Irish players contributed 15,593 minutes between them – a remarkable increase of two-thirds over last year.

Dara O'Shea during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Dara O’Shea during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Just two outfield players – Seamus Coleman and Nathan Collins – made over 20 league appearances last season, with the bulk of the minutes coming from Gavin Bazunu.

Even with the Southampton star in the Championship this season, and Coleman out of action for half the campaign with a serious knee injury, the numbers have nevertheless soared.

Dara O’Shea, Collins, Matt Doherty, Chiedozie Ogbene, Evan Ferguson, and Josh Cullen all managed to clear over 20 top-flight outings.

O’Shea is top of the pile having clocked 2,894 minutes across 33 appearances for Burnley, while teammate Cullen pitched in with 2,059.

Burnley's midfielder #24 Josh Cullen celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London on March 30, 2024. Pic: Glyn KIRK / AFP
Burnley’s midfielder Josh Cullen contributed plenty of minutes for Irish players in the Premier League. Pic: Glyn KIRK / AFP

Second on the list is Collins – now onto his third Premier League side in Brentford – with a tally of 2,649 minutes.

The likes of John Egan (484) and Coleman (662) would have gotten that number higher far more if not for injury while Caoimhin Kelleher (900) and Andrew Omobamidele (782) were also solid contributors.

What’s the reason behind this change? The newly-promoted sides already counted Egan and Cullen among their ranks before going on to add further Irish talent last summer.

Burnley plucked O’Shea from West Brom as one of their first signings while Ogbene moved up from Rotherham on a free to Luton Town.

Nathan Collins of Brentford applauds the fans during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Aston Villa at Gtech Community Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Brentford, England. Pic: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Irish players in the Premier League: Nathan Collins has been a regular for Brentford. Pic: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

Irish numbers were also boosted by Doherty’s return from Atletico Madrid to Wolves, as although he rarely started, the Dubliner was a constant presence off the bench for Gary O’Neil’s side.

Although Ferguson ended a season with a lengthy goal drought and an injury, his ascension from the Brighton youth ranks was also a major positive.

The likes of Sam Curtis, Alex Murphy, and Mark O’Mahony all made their Premier League debuts this season and can hopefully contribute again in the future.

For as much good news as there is with this season’s final tally, there is an uncomfortable truth amongst it all.

Luton Town's Irish midfielder #07 Chiedozie Ogbene (R) passes the ball during the English Premier League football match between Luton Town and Chelsea at Kenilworth Road in Luton, north of London on December 30, 2023. Pic: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
Irish players in the Premier League: Chiedozie Ogbene enjoyed a great debut season. Pic: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

The three newly-promoted sides were all sent back down to the Championship and with them goes a wealth of Irish talent.

Unless they find new clubs come August, Egan, Cullen, O’Shea, and Ogbene – who put together a combined 7,430 minutes – are all Championship players once again next season.

Is anyone coming up to replace them? Not likely. There are no Ireland internationals in the Leicester squad and only the uncapped Jack Taylor in Ipswich’s ranks. Play-off finalists Leeds also currently have no one.

Their play-off opponents Southampton have plenty in the form of Ryan Manning, Bazunu, and Will Smallbone, meaning Irish neutrals will be hoping for a Saints win come Sunday.

Will Smallbone of Southampton during the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton FC and Hull City at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on February 20, 2024 in Southampton, England.Pic: Robin Jones/Getty Images
Southampton is the Irish players hope in the Premier League next season. Pic: Robin Jones/Getty Images

So for as much as this Premier League season has been positive for Ireland, it could be back to business as usual come 2024/25.

Ireland’s Premier League top five

As per the Premier League website:

  • Dara O’Shea: 2,894 minutes (33 apps)
  • Nathan Collins: 2,649 minutes (32 apps)
  • Josh Cullen: 2,059 minutes (25 apps)
  • Chiedozie Ogbene: 1,993 minutes (30 apps)
  • Evan Ferguson: 1,365 minutes (27 apps)

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