Rival managers David Healy and Jim Magilton hail the rising standards of Irish League youngsters like Braiden Graham

Even in the high stakes and tense title showdown on Monday night, the fearless and energetic performance of 16-year-old Braiden Graham captured everyone’s attention.

The Linfield teenager, who scored an equaliser against Larne at Inver Park in a BetMcLean Cup Quarter-Final, has an exciting club and international career ahead of him.

In the summer of 2024, he will continue his football education at Premier League side Everton, and he hopes to leave with memories of a first Irish Cup success.

Linfield boss Healy and his Cliftonville counterpart are both passionate about helping young players fulfil their potential, and the steady flow of promising prospects moving across the water suggests that they are now being given a stronger platform to live their dreams.

Academies across Northern Ireland are raising their game, and the Irish League is now an enticing market for English and Scottish clubs.

Healy also coached in the ClubNI programme, while Magilton was Elite Performance Director with the Irish Football Association, masterminding the JD Club NI Elite Player Development programme.

The old Northern Ireland pals are united in their admiration for teenage sensation Graham and a desire to see more young players showcase their talent.

“I saw Braiden when he was 12 or 13 scoring five, six, seven goals in a game, and he was about one foot nothing,” said Healy, who would play 12 times with Magilton for their country before the Reds chief left the international scene in 2002.

“There was no guarantee I would be at the club, but you wonder how they will develop and will they reach the first-team.

“To give both parties great credit, the JD Academy under Andy Waterworth has been part of his development, and Jim (Magilton) was at the forefront of starting that.

“I can remember coaching Kyle (McClean) when he was 16 or 17 and probably a centre-forward then.

“Jim has to take great credit for the initial set-up – whether he gets it or not is other people’s prerogative, but I played a little part in the ClubNI programme, as it was then, and great people have been involved in the coaching.

“Jim, with all his experience, oversaw the project, and Andy (Waterworth) has been a successful player.

“Braiden just hasn’t arrived at our doorstep at the age of 16 ready to train. The Irish FA put a lot of hard work in, and our Academy coaches and staff have helped nurture him, too. I’m fortunate enough to be a manager who can decide when a young player like that is ready to play.”

Former Northern Ireland striker Healy says disrespectful comments about the Irish League leave him frustrated.

“I think there has been a huge amount of improvement in the development and coaching of the young players,” said the former Manchester United youngster.

“It frustrates me when I hear or see negative comments from people outside of Northern Ireland wanting to be disrespectful to our League because they don’t see the hard work that goes into it.

“We are striving to be better, and you can see the Northern Ireland team now with young, hungry, athletic, good-quality players coming through.

“That has to be the mantle going forward. Michael (O’Neill) will give young players a chance when they are ready, he has already proven that, and the quicker we accelerate the development of players to give them a platform to play in England or Scotland, the better it is going to be.

“I’ve had many discussions with Michael, and although we have gone down the eligibility route, we need better young players progressing from clubs and Academies as the main focal point of the team.”

Former Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town midfielder Magilton is another manager who isn’t afraid to show faith in emerging talent.

“I thought Braiden was out of this world against Larne, he showed great maturity,” he reflected.

“His technical ability, allied with tactical awareness of the game, as well as his physical strength stood out.

“You are coming up against a (Leroy) Millar, (Aaron) Donnelly, (Cian) Bolger, (Ro-Shaun) Williams and a (Tomas) Cosgrove and he’s playing against those guys. It was just a magnificent performance, and we have a few talented young players as well.

“Ryan Corrigan is another one we have high hopes for. We threw him on while 0-0 at Carrick. These lads play with no fear.

“Maybe the level of coaching has improved and more energy is put into youth development, which is great because it will benefit the clubs and international teams down the line.

“I can’t praise Braiden enough.”