IT'S still hard to imagine that it is 24 years since Ireland last played at the European Championship finals in Germany. At that time only eight teams competed in the finals (as opposed to 16 this time around). This was the start of a glorious period for Irish football and one which will live on in our memories forever. Ireland beat England 1-0, drew 1-1 with Russia (or Soviet Union as it was then) and lost 1-0 to eventual winners Holland.

The current Irish team now has the potential to create lifetime memories for a new generation of football fans who have grown up hearing about the 1988 finals but this year will experience the 2012 finals for themselves.

The qualifying campaign had its ups and downs, the performances didn't always inspire the fans or the pundits but International Football at this level is about results and qualification and what Trappatoni and the squad have achieved cannot be underestimated.

Many say that the draw for the finals has not been good for Ireland, but don't say that to any of the players; they will absolutely relish the prospect of lining out against Spain, Italy and Croatia. As a professional you want to play at the top level, you want to play in championship finals, have no doubt we will be hard to beat. The players know what the manager wants from them, they all want to play for the manager and I honestly think we can get out of this group.

First up will be Croatia and I believe we will get a point in this one, next up are Spain and it will be very tough for us to get anything here but then again Spain don't actually score many goals and the Irish set-up will frustrate them.

The final match sees us take on Italy and they are not what they used to be on the international stage, I can see us taking thee points here giving us at least four points which may well be good enough to take us through.

The new kids on the block

THE Christmas break allowed me the opportunity to watch a few matches on Sky and it's hard not to get excited about the number of young Irish players now making the breakthrough. We are familiar with James Mc Carthy and Seamus Coleman who are in and around the International set-up for some time, but there are others out there who give us great hope for the future.

Martin O'neill's arrival at Sunderland has seen him give James Mcclean (22, below) a run in the side and this guy has exciting potential and explosive pace (like a young Damian Duff). Mclean has played at U-21 level for Northern Ireland, but has now declared for the Republic and is definitely one to watch out for.

David Meyler, son of Kerry hurling boss John,

is

FAI Coaches Association

LAUNCHED at the start of December, the FAI Coaches Association has been established for coaches at all levels of the game. The Coaches Association website can be found at www.fai.ie/coaching and is hugely informative with articles, videos, coaching session plans and much more. I would urge all coaches out there to join the Association and take advantage of all of the material available. Whether you are coaching tiny tots or adult teams the FAI Coaches Association can help you.

The site also carries details of all Coaching Courses scheduled across the country in 2012. The first course of the year in Kerry is a Kick Start 2 course (for those coaching 9 to 12 year olds), this takes place on February 17, 18 and 19. Contact Darren Aherne (FAI Development Officer) on 086 0489019 or darren.aherne@fai.ie to

book your place. another Sunderland player who I have great hopes for, he is also just 22 and missed most of last season following a cruciate injury. He has been on the bench for the last few Sunderland games and he is also one for the future.

Aston Villa's Ciaran Clarke, yet another 22 year old, made his senior Ireland debut against Wales last year and can play at centre half, left back or midfield and he has forced his way into the Villa side over the past half dozen games and scored at the weekend against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup.

Finally for now is Greg Cunningham (21) who is on the books of Manchester City, but currently out on loan with Nottingham Forest, Cunningham made his Irish debut against Algeria in 2010, he is another player who missed a large part of last season with a leg injury, but he is playing regularly now at Forest at left back and has the potential to go a long way in the game.

Over the next few weeks I will be profiling the many other young Irish players making their mark in England, all of whom fill me with optimism for the future of the international side.