Nine goals in 2025. Nine. Jack Moylan has been on an absolute tear since January, and Keith Treacy thinks Heimir Hallgrimsson would be foolish not to take a closer look this May.
The Lincoln City forward — a Dublin lad who came through Shelbourne before making the move across — has ended the League One season with 10 goals and four assists, helping the club seal promotion. His club season wraps on 2 May, which conveniently puts him in the frame for Ireland's training camp in Murcia before a friendly against Grenada on 16 May.
The timing works, and so does the form
Hallgrimsson has already flagged that League of Ireland players are off the table — the camp clashes with a packed domestic schedule. Senior regulars at European clubs are unavailable. Players still in Championship play-off contention won't be included either. Moylan fits none of those exclusions. His season is done, and he arrives off the back of the best run of form of his career.
Treacy made the case plainly on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast: "He's had a brilliant season, ten goals and four assists. This is the time to pat them on the back and say, 'We are having a look at you, you are in our plans.'"
He's not pitching Moylan as Ireland's next starting striker. The argument is simpler than that — the camp is specifically designed to widen the pool, and a player this in-form deserves to see what's behind the curtain. Next season he'll be playing Championship football. The step up keeps coming.
Beyond Moylan: who else could be fast-tracked?
Former goalkeeper Barry Murphy added several names to the conversation. Sheffield Wednesday left wing-back Tayo Adaramola drew praise for his aggression and tactical fit with Ireland's system. Rocco Vata and Andy Moran — who scored against Leicester last weekend — were also mentioned as players with something to offer these low-stakes windows.
But Murphy's most pointed observation was about Jaden Umeh, the Benfica winger and Ireland youth international. "I think we're too conservative about these games," he said, arguing that friendlies should solve future problems rather than rehearse what's already settled.
- Jack Moylan — Lincoln City, 10 goals/4 assists, League One promotion secured
- Tayo Adaramola — Sheffield Wednesday, left wing-back, described as "tailor-made" for Ireland's system
- Jaden Umeh — Benfica, Ireland youth international winger
- Andy Moran / Rocco Vata — fringe options with recent form
Ireland's Nations League assignments in autumn are the real target, and Hallgrimsson needs depth. If Chiedozie Ogbene is unavailable — Murphy's specific hypothetical — who steps in? These May friendlies are the time to find out, not when the points are counting.
"We need to have ready-made replacements to come in, who have had a bit of game exposure," Murphy said. Hard to argue with that logic.
