Barry McNeill

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

What the actual fuck is this celebration, its a semi final lads , calm the fuck down

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@seidodge @StattoLOI maybe? Surely he is the most fouled player in the league

[Julian Canny @juliancanny]

Real #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld stuff here.

The profile pic for one of Derry’s new signings in FAI Connect is of his passport!

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

Let's fucking go!!! Next up #SBLX

[NFL @NFL]

For the 12th time in franchise history, the @Patriots are AFC Champions! #SBLX

[New England Patriots @Patriots]

SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!!

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

Best 45 we've played in years #COYBIG

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

What a man 😂😂

[Ipswich Town @IpswichTown]

🇨🇱

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@BuggyLFC @grok @grok can you explain this post to me like I'm 5

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@kgdublin I've had worse In many places

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@kgdublin Michelinn star quality food in Richmond Park 👌

[IFB Media @IFBMedia]

🚨 MISCONCEPTION ALERT! 🚨
There’s a huge misunderstanding about the strength of our League of Ireland Academy sides and grassroots clubs!

This misunderstanding is especially common among those outside the immediate bubble of Irish football, such as non-domestic fans or families of potential “granny rule” candidates in the UK and beyond.

The truth is, the level of footballers we’re producing on this island, especially from ages 13–18, is truly exceptional! 🌟

Look at the Ireland U17s team that just qualified for the World Cup! 🏆 Many of them were born here, and even if they’re not currently in LOI academies, they likely honed their skills in our system first. ⚽

Here are a few examples of results from recent seasons for our Men’s and Women’s teams against Europe’s elite! 💪
Men’s ⚽:
- Cork City U19s 1–0 Tottenham U18s
- Liverpool U17s 4–3 Cork City U17s
- Preston U17s 4–4 Cork City U17s
- Shamrock Rovers U15s 7–1 Burnley U15s
- Shamrock Rovers U14s won the Hale Cup, defeating Tottenham, Man City, Aston Villa, Leicester, and Arsenal
- Shelbourne U13s ranked 15th out of 48 in the Octavos Cup
- Ireland U18s 3–1 Man City U18s
Women’s 👑:
- Bohemians U19s won the Silver Cup
- Shamrock Rovers U17s competed strongly, falling 1–5 to Celtic U17s

These results showcase the remarkable talent within our domestic teams.

However, the harsh reality is far less encouraging. 🤨 Our academies lack the financial resources of the foreign clubs our players join, and the gap in facilities is stark.

Even when LOI clubs have wealthy owners, the burden of funding academies often falls heavily on parents and families. Fundraising efforts, like raffles, bag packing, and community events, are common, and it’s frankly embarrassing compared to the resources available abroad! 😳

That’s why we’re losing ground in developing players after their underage years. Despite the incredible people pouring their hearts into our clubs, we don’t have the facilities to compete with top-tier academies. 💚

A few years ago, before he took charge at Shelbourne, Damien Duff passionately highlighted that kids here don’t get enough time with the ball or sufficient coaching hours. 🎤

This, combined with the issues above, explains why some of our best young footballers don’t reach their potential or feel compelled to chase their dreams abroad. 🌍

The reality? A potential “granny rule” player born in the UK isn’t inherently better than someone born here—they just benefit from world-class facilities and more coaching hours. That’s the game-changer! ⚡

Our academies are punching above their weight with minimal support, but change is urgent if we’re to develop our players properly! 🚀 New ideas, like Transition Year students joining football academies while continuing their education is one positive move being made.

However, plenty more innovative ideas and big picture thinking is needed from stakeholders across the game if we’re build on the system we have in the coming years. 🏃‍♂️📚

Let’s celebrate our talent, but demand the support they deserve! 💚⚽

#LOI #IrishFootball #Grassroots

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

That's a shocking call to not give that pen

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@BuggyLFC Worked out well for you

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@irish_abroad @irish_pics Why is nobody even mentioning this

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

@BuggyLFC Except for Karen

[BOYLE Sports @BoyleSports]

🔥 You could win €/£1000 as we mark BoyleSports Early Payout's landmark

To enter:
✅ Follow @BoyleSports
🔁 Retweet this post

🔞 Click below for full terms & conditions

[IFB Media @IFBMedia]

IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers
IFB will reach 100K followers

It’s high time Irish Football gets the attention it deserves.

[Premier League @premierleague]

The end of a 22-year wait 💙

Ipswich win a Premier League match at Portman Road once again

#IPSCHE

[Barry McNeill @mcswanger]

What a fucking performance!!! Delap was fucking brilliant #ITFC

[Ipswich Town @IpswichTown]

A HUGE WIN TO END THE YEAR! 👊

#IPSCHE | @Nustone_UK