Football Trials in Ireland 2026
How to land a football trial in Ireland in 2026 across the League of Ireland academy system, schoolboy clubs and senior LOI sides.
Irish football has two main pipelines. The schoolboy and schoolgirl system, run by the SFAI and DDSL, develops players from under 8 to under 16. League of Ireland clubs run academies from under 14 upwards and offer first team contracts from under 19.
Players living in Ireland with EU passports also have a faster route to UK and European clubs. Many top Irish players are scouted at LOI underage games or at FAI national league fixtures.
Key steps
- 1
Play in the strongest league you can
DDSL premier division, KDUL premier and SDFL premier are the highest schoolboy leagues. LOI academies scout from these games every weekend.
- 2
Email LOI academies directly
Each LOI club has an academy recruitment lead. Contact details are on the club website. Send your CV link and a two minute video.
- 3
Attend FAI talent ID days
The FAI runs national emerging talent days. Get your details on the player register through your club.
- 4
Use schoolboy national cups as showcases
Kennedy Cup and Gaynor Cup are watched by every LOI scout. If you are in your county squad, treat those games as trials.
- 5
Send a CV to UK clubs in parallel
Irish under 16 and under 18 players can move to UK academies on FIFA approved transfers. Many do every season.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a trial with an LOI club?
Email the club academy or first team recruitment lead with a link to your CV and a short highlight clip. Most LOI clubs reply within two weeks during the off season.
What age can you sign for an LOI academy?
League of Ireland academies generally take players from under 14. A handful of clubs run under 13 development squads.
Can an Irish player move to a UK club at 16?
Yes. Irish players with EU passports can sign for UK academies from age 16 under FIFA rules. Many top young Irish players take this route.
Trial guides by country
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