Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane says it is frightening to see the lack of top-flight talent emerging into the senior squad.

As it stands, the Premier League season will begin without any Irish-born player under the age of 25.

“Where are these players? How come they’re not at the bigger clubs? It’s definitely a worry,” said Keane at a fundraiser for Barretstown held at the Olympia Theatre.

“First and foremost when we’re talking about selecting a [Ireland]squad, ideally you want them out in the Premiership and playing every week. It doesn’t always pan out that way.

“When you’re talking about selecting players I want them playing at the top clubs and playing every week. And when I say the top clubs I mean the Man Uniteds and playing in the Champions League.

“We will suffer on the international front and some of our players aren’t regular in the Championship.

“We can’t make excuses for Irish players just because clubs are recruiting from Africa and further away. If you’re good enough and hungry enough you have to compete with that. You have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it.

“It’s frightening to think none of our lads are really competing. It’s a big problem and it’s not a quick fix.”