Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has packed his squad with plenty of exciting teenage talents - including Michael Noonan, Victor Ozhianvuna, and John and Cory O’Sullivan.
However, he couldn’t help but acknowledge that Saturday’s League of Ireland opponents Sligo Rovers have a teen star of their own.
Owen Elding scored his eighth goal of the season in last week’s 1-1 draw with Bohemians, and the 19-year-old’s form has even seen him linked with a switch to Ireland.
The FAI are actively looking to tie down the English-born youngster, who moved to Ireland at the age of seven when his dad Anthony signed for the Bit O’ Red in 2013.
And it’s not only the Irish set-up that has been alerted by Elding’s form this season; Serie A giants Juventus are also reportedly monitoring the youngster.
So far this season, Elding has notched goals against Bohs (twice), Shelbourne, Drogheda United, Waterford (twice), Galway United and Cork City.
He is looking to score his first against the Hoops - and Shamrock Rovers boss Bradley is well aware of the threat posed by Sligo’s teen star.
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“Owen is a good player. As you said, there are many good young players in our league,” he said.
“Owen is 19 and is a good young player. He has scored some really good goals, but Sligo have others too so it’s important that we’re ready and respect what Sligo bring to the table.”
Owen’s dad Anthony became a hero at The Showgrounds when he scored the winning goal in Rovers’ 2013 FAI Cup final triumph over Drogheda United.
Meanwhile, Bradley expects more heroics from goalkeeper Ed McGinty when he comes up against his former club.
McGinty had two spells with Sligo Rovers, the first coming before a move to Oxford United. He returned to The Showgrounds last season on-loan, and when that spell ended he made a permanent move to Tallaght Stadium.
The 25-year-old made a crucial stop in last weekend’s win against Waterford, and Bradley said: “Ed has been brilliant. I think early on in the season, you could see him getting used to the things we were asking of him.
“As the season has gone on, Ed has got more comfortable with that and has improved and there’s still more to come from him. His save in the first half was really really important.
“When we were looking at goalkeepers last year, Ed was important as we felt he had similar characteristics to Alan Mannus, in that he could be quiet for long periods and then make big saves.
“We don’t give up many opportunities but when we do, and you will in any game, you’re hoping your keeper will make big saves and Ed makes big saves.
“That first half save was a really important and difficult save, it was down at his feet, but that save gave us the platform.
“If Waterford score that, they had something to hold onto, so it was a really important save.”
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