It was announced yesterday that the Under-17, 18 and 19 manager, Sean McCaffrey, will not have his contract renewed with the FAI when it expires at the end of the year.

Sean McCaffrey has spent almost seven years in charge of a myriad of under-age sides for the Association. In March of 2008 he guided the Under-17s to the European Championships, a highlight of McCaffrey’s tenure. An FAI press release said as such:

“John Morling, the current Under-15 / 16 head coach, and former Peterborough United manager, will now become the Under-16 / 17 head coach and Niall Harrison will be appointed as new Under-15 head coach. Morling will take charge of the Under-17 squad for the first time at the first phase of the UEFA Under-17 championship qualifiers, starting on September 25 against Malta.

“The Under-18 and Under-19 position will be advertised from tomorrow and a new head coach will be appointed ahead of the first phase of the UEFA Under-19 championship qualifiers, starting on October 7 against Luxembourg in Bulgaria.”

Wim Koevermans, the FAI’s Director of International High Performance said:

“We thank Sean for the service he has given to the Association and the development of our young players. After almost seven years in charge and with his contract expiring at the end of this year, the time is now right for a change of hands. The new Under-18 / Under-19 position will be advertised from tomorrow and we intend to make this appointment by the end of September. I take this opportunity to wish Sean every success for the future.”

Earlier in the year, Don Givens stepped down from his role as Under 21’s boss and this move is yet another in the changing face of the national set-up since the Italian duo of Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli took the reigns of the senior side.