Kerr's boys: The making of a senior team

Joe Murphy: Always looked one of the underage set-up's strongest prospects and got an early taste of regular first team football at Tranmere. Moved to West Brom where he has had only occasional tastes of life in the top flight of the English game but still looks a good bet to make it.

Joe Murphy (West Brom)

First international tournament under Kerr: European Under-17 Championships, Scotland, 1998.

Richard Dunne (Manchester City)

Under-19 European Championships in Cyprus, 1998

A big, tough, and surprisingly quick defender who Kerr got the very best out of from a very early stage. Dunne made his first real breakthrough at Everton before following Joe Royle to Manchester City. Has had disciplinary and weight problems but is still very highly regarded by Kevin Keegan who has made no secret of his admiration for the ability of a player who, at times, played a key part in the Irish senior team's qualification campaign for the last World Cup.

John O'Shea (Manchester Utd)

European Under-17 Championships in Scotland, 1998

Mick McCarthy's reluctance to promote him to the senior squad caused some controversy given the remarkable progress the Waterford born defender has made at Manchester United. Though his lack of experience still shows occasionally, the versatile defender seems to get better with each passing week and looks to be one of the key components on which Kerr will now build his senior teams.

Gary Doherty (Tottenham)

Under-19 European Championships in Cyprus, 1998

Kerr was probably the one who did most to exploit Doherty's ability to play in either defence or attack and it could be argued that it is that very versatility that has come to dog the former Luton player during his time at White Hart Lane. May need to move away from Spurs if he is to play regular club football, but still looks likely to be a significant squad member for Ireland during the Kerr years.

Barry Quinn (Coventry)

Under-19 European Championships, Cyprus, 1998

Has not quite made the impact that would have been expected of him a few years back but, notwithstanding some injury problems, Quinn has turned in some strong performances for Coventry this season and should be looking forward to next year as one in which he might finally come of age. Is very versatile and a fine passer of the ball and could well play himself back into the senior international scene.

Alan Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday)

Under-19 European Championships, Cyprus, 1998

Made a dramatic impression when he first broke into the Sheffield Wednesday first team and since then he has notched up more first team experience than a good many of his contemporaries. A quick and skilful midfielder, the Dubliner, a great favourite of Kerr's, has suffered as Wednesday's fortunes have gone from bad to worse but at just 23 has still got a lot of time to capitalise on the promise shown a few years ago when he was one of the heroes of the European Youth Championship winning team.

Colin Healy (Celtic)

World Youth Cup, Nigeria, 1999

Received a late call up to go to Nigeria but really established himself the following summer in Sweden where the Under-19s finished third. Despite still finding it hard to establish himself at club level and being widely linked with a move to Everton, Healy has already established himself as a part of the senior Irish team and only just missed out on a trip to the World Cup when Roy Keane initially changed his mind about pulling out of the tournament.

Stephen McPhail (Leeds Utd)

Under-19 European Championships, Cyprus, 1998

A wonderfully talented central midfielder who probably performed more strongly for Kerr than any manager he has played under since, McPhail has endured some desperately frustrating times at Leeds where his progress has been hindered by a combination of injury and the disinterest of Dave O'Leary. His fortunes have improved of late with Terry Venables clearly valuing him and he is potentially one of the greatest beneficiaries of Kerr's elevation.

Richie Partridge (Liverpool - on loan to Coventry)

Under-19 European Championships, Cyprus, 1998

His devotion to Liverpool, where he was one of the club's longest serving players despite only getting a couple of first team appearances, was touching but it clearly hindered the progress of a player who has been hailed as one of the discoveries of the season since going out on loan to Coventry. A small and quick old-fashioned winger, Partridge can play on either side with equal comfort and has shown during the past couple of months that he has the ability to make a name for himself at a very high level.

Robbie Keane (Tottenham)

Under-19 European Championships, Cyprus, 1998

Keane was already establishing himself as a star in the making before going to Cyprus, but his contribution there underlined the remarkable potential of the young striker from Tallaght. Had spells at Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds after leaving Wolves but is now beginning to look very settled at Spurs where his club form is finally starting to match his performances at international level. Well on the way to being the leading Irish scorer of all time and a key figure in Kerr's teams of the next few years.

Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers)

World Youth Cup, Nigeria, 1999

Surely the most talented player of all to play for Kerr during his time in charge of the youth set-up and certainly one of the new manager's most ardent admirers. Soon after taking over the under age sides Kerr called Duff into the squad for the World Youth Cup in Malaysia where, despite being the youngest player in the squad by some distance, the Dubliner made a stunning contribution. One of game's best wide midfielders, Duff was employed by McCarthy as a striker where he was never quite as effective. It is hard to see the new man not allowing him to play to his strengths.

Subs

Sean Thornton (Sunderland), European Under-17 Championships in Israel, 2000.

Liam Miller (Celtic), European Under-17 winner in Scotland, 1998.

Graham Barrett (Arsenal), European Under-17 winner in Scotland, 1998.

Richard Sadlier (Millwall), World Youth Cup in Nigeria, 1999.

Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), European Under-17 winner in Scotland in 1998.