Bohemians assistant manager Stephen O’Donnell has today linked up with the Ireland U21s set-up as assistant coach for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Moldova and Kazakhstan.
O’Donnell said: “It is a massive honour to be involved in an Ireland international set-up, so I was delighted to be asked by the manager, Jim Crawford, and I’m really looking forward to learning from Jim, and the likes of Paul McShane, as well as relishing the opportunity of working with the best young talent in the country.
“I believe I have a lot to offer to the set-up from my own experience of managing and coaching in our league during which time I have helped players make the step up to senior football here at Bohs and previously at St Pat’s and Dundalk.
“I’m also grateful to Bohs for allowing this opportunity. The club sees the big pictures and values development opportunities for both players and coaches.
“Bohs has had a proud record in developing young players – obviously our captain Dawson Devoy is the perfect example of that. But again this season we’ve had a number of young players coming through our system knocking on the door of the first team, and I’ve really enjoyed assisting them in making that step up to senior football.
“The club recognises that me learning and upskilling while assisting the international set-up can be of huge benefit to my own development as a coach, which I believe will help both the international set-up and our own player development goals here at Bohs as well.”