Killian Phillips: The proud step from school to the national team!

Killian Phillips: The proud step from school to the national team!

On 23 May 2025, Killian Phillips, a Crystal Palace midfielder currently on loan at St Mirren, visited his old school as a guest of honor. Phillips attended the graduation ceremony of the latest class of the TY Football and Fitness Course for boys and girls, organized by Fingal County Council and the FAI in Corduff. The 23-year-old also received his first call-up to the Irish national team to play in friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.

Phillips' nomination for the national team is no coincidence. He was able to attract attention through his strong performances in the Scottish Premiership, particularly during a successful half-year finish with St Mirren. The news of his calling touched not only him, but also his family, especially his mother, who had tears in her eyes. Phillips called this nomination the proudest moment of his life and a fulfillment of his dream.

Successful training programs

The TY Football and Fitness Course was launched in 2016 as a year-long pilot project for boys and has since become a success story. In its nine years of existence, approximately 225 boys have taken part in the course, resulting in 66 Underage Internationals and 37 debuts for the Irish national team. Phillips and Andrew Moran are among the alumni of the program, which expanded to include a girls' offering after the 2023 World Cup.

In the second year class for girls there are already 16 national players and five debuts. The program, which offers both education and full-time training, has an impressive 94% attendance rate. This is notable given the rise in school dropout rates. There are currently 50 alumni playing in the League of Ireland first teams or on professional contracts abroad.

The role of the FAI and future perspectives

The FAI also plans to improve funding for League of Ireland academies and is carrying out an audit. There are indications that the government is receptive to these demands. These investments could not only benefit talented players like Phillips, but also youth football in general. The positive experiences gained through the TY Football and Fitness Course show that academic programs and athletic training can go hand in hand.

Given the changing demands on football clubs, which now also operate as businesses, the need for qualifications for management positions is becoming increasingly clear. Further training, such as that offered at the IST (Institute for Sports Management), is becoming increasingly important for active players in order to successfully pursue a second career in football management. The transition from an active career to management level can be optimized through appropriate know-how and experience.

Killian Phillips' journey shows how important such training programs are for young talent and how they can help develop the next generation of football talent.