Trends reversed in Ireland

By Aidan Fitzmaurice

The Republic of Ireland has long been known as an exporter of football talent - indeed 70 of the 92 senior clubs in England have used Irish players this season, from Premiership hopefuls Manchester United FC (Roy Keane and John O'Shea) down to the bottom club in the third division Exeter City FC, who have three Irish-born players on the books.

Trend reversed
But the new Irish summer season has seen a new trend with Irish Premier Division clubs willing to import players from abroad. Eleven different countries will be represented in the summer season this year, with players coming to Ireland from Africa, the Caribbean, Australasia, and Europe, not to mention the large number of footballers from England, Scotland and Wales who are earning their living in Ireland.

Enjoyable start
Karim el Khebir was born in Niger but spent all of his career in France and was out of favour with his last club, FC Valence, when his Scottish-based agent suggested a move to Saint Patrick's Athletic FC in Ireland. El Khebir made his debut in the 0-0 draw away to Cork City FC. "I wanted to play games, my agent suggested that I come here so I said 'why not'. I have not had the chance to settle yet but I have enjoyed it," said El Khebir.

Bright prospect
His club have an exotic look to them this season, with 17-year-old Brazilian Paulo Nicomedes coming to Dublin on a season-long loan from Rio Brava back in Brazil, and while manager Eamonn Collins does not expect the teenager to come into the team right away, he reckons that Nicomedes is a prospect for the future.

Top scorer
Ugandan international, Charles Mbabazi Livingstone, has already become a hero at Saint Patrick's since he arrived in December 2000. Top scorer in the 2001/02 season when the club finished top of the league table but were denied the title because of a points deduction, he is also back in the fold with Uganda's national team, playing in an African Cup of Nations game earlier this year after a six-month exile.

Kiwi experiment
The last time an Irish club experimented with players from New Zealand it was a disappointment, as the Kiwi quartet brought to Bohemian FC by their new manager Joe McGrath in 1998 failed to make an impact and contributed to McGrath losing his job after only five games, but Drogheda United FC hope that the signing of Kiwi players Che Bunce and Lee Jones will help the club in the Premier Division.

'Too expensive'
Defender Bunce has played in Iceland but came to Ireland from New Zealand club Auckland Kingz, while midfielder Jones already experienced European football from his time with Tampere United FC in Finland, and he was a trainee with London club Wimbledon FC. Both are senior internationals for New Zealand and Drogheda manager Harry McCue has high hopes for the pair. "They will bring us a lot of experience," said McCue. "I have had to look for players wherever I can because it's often too expensive to sign players from Ireland or England."

Big talent
Perhaps the brightest foreign star of them is Ukrainian teenager Andriy Pereplyotkin, who has arrived at Bohemian FC on a season-long loan from English FA Cup finalists Southampton FC. The striker is highly-rated by Saints manager Gordon Strachan but was denied a work permit by British authorities last November. The Irish champions have agreed to take Pereplyotkin until the Irish season ends in November to give him valuable experience. The youngster has already made an impact scoring his first goal earlier this month in the 3-1 victory against Waterford United FC. With Southampton competing in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup, Pereplyotkin's Irish training may become useful preparation for taking on Europe's finest.