The Division has a proven track record of cultivating young stars
The SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division has proven to be a great launch pad for many a great career in Irish football with internationals and young stars alike coming from the Division.
Here’s five stars who have made their mark on Irish football starting out in the Division.
Daryl Horgan
Back in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division now, Daryl Horgan has had some career which first came to notice for Cork City in 2011 as he helped inspire the Rebel Army to the title on the last day over Shelbourne.
He made his debut for Cork City against Salthill Devon and scored his first goals for the club in a 3–1 win away to Longford Town two weeks later when he got on the scoresheet twice. By the end of the season he had scored seven league goals for Cork City as they lifted the title in just 13 appearances.
Horgan went on to have 17 international caps for the Republic of Ireland as well as featuring heavily in the famous Dundalk side from 2014 to 2016.
Padraig Amond
The current Waterford striker is making headlines again in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division but he does so after a brilliant career in the UK which started in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
Amond joined Shamrock Rovers in 1999, at the age of 10, and progressed through the schoolboy ranks of the club before he was part of the team that were SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division Champions in the 2006 season being promoted to the top flight. He was promoted to the senior squad at the start of the season, making his debut as a substitute against Athlone Town on 16 March 2006 and scored the winner against Finn Harps in September 2006.
Amond went on to have a superb career making hundreds of appearances for Accrington Stanley, Newport County and Morecambe amongst others.
James McClean
With over 100 appearances for the Republic of Ireland, James McClean is a household name across Ireland and has enjoyed an incredible career that first came to prominence in 2010 with Derry City in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
In December 2009 McClean was one of the first four players to sign for the new Derry City after structural change at the Club along with David McDaid, and the McEleney brothers — Shane and Patrick. McClean scored eight goals in 33 appearances in the 2010 helping Derry return to the top-flight.
With Sunderland, West From, Stoke City and now Wrexham among his Clubs after he impressed at Derry City, the famous Ireland international has had a remarkable career first started in the Division.
Seanie Maguire
Starting his career in Waterford, Maguire made his debut in July 2011 against Mervue United. During his career at Waterford United, he scored 14 goals in 32 games and finished as top scorer in the 2012 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
Making his name further at Cork City in 2016 and 2017, Maguire went on to have a remarkable career with 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland and is still currently playing in the UK at Carlisle United following nearly 160 appearances at Preston North End.
Jack Moylan
A new enough player to the scene only at the start of his career in the UK, but Jack Moylan came to life in 2023 with Shelbourne after making his name firstly at Ferrycarrig Park with Wexford.
In July 2021, Moylan was sent on loan from Bohemians to Wexford, where he stayed for the rest of the season. He scored 8 goals in 17 appearances for the side before helping Shelbourne to European football in 2023 and getting to the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final in 2022.
Moylan has started his spell at Lincoln City well since his move in January after scoring four in two games recently with the young striker’s career only starting.
