Northern Ireland: Would an under-23 team help NI’s senior side?

Northern Ireland do not need to look too far afield to see the benefits of introducing an under-23s team to help aid player development and better prepare them for a move into senior international football.

Reigning European champions England have had an under-23s squad for two years now after a restructuring of the age group teams which was driven in part by Sarina Wiegman after she arrived as manager in 2021.

They currently take part in a competitive U23 European League which was first introduced in September 2023.

The league featured nations such as Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, allowing the Lionesses to test themselves against some of the best young players in the world in competitive fixtures.

England were unbeaten in the first edition of the competition last season, but the format has been altered for the 2024-25 campaign, with a group stage, semi-finals and final akin to the Women’s Nations League.

Given that Northern Ireland do not regularly qualify for tournaments at youth level like some of the aforementioned European sides in the U23s, they would likely start by playing friendlies and invitational tournaments.

That in itself is better than no exposure to international football that players 19 and over, who have not made it to the senior squad, currently face and also offers the chance for experimentation.

A number of players involved in England’s under-23s squads have since progressed to the senior team. Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton, arguably the biggest success story, has three goals in five appearances since moving up.