One glance at this map shows just how reluctant Irish players are when it comes to moving to the continent.

With few Irish players in the UK playing for clubs which qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League (Wigan's James McClean is the only representative this season), the Boys in Green are at a major disadvantage.

Irish Independent football writer Garry Doyle feels the Championship is a poor breeding ground for players.

"The Championship isn't going to develop James McClean into the finished article as an international player. The Europa League will do a lot more because he'll come up against different tactic and a different way of playing. There is a trend in Europe to sacrifice wide areas and concentrate down the middle. That's something you don't really come across in the Championship where it's 4-4-2 versus 4-4-2 with regularity. The Championship is a dreadful league to watch. Too many Irish players are falling to that level."

Listen to Garry's chat on the issue via the Off The Ball Football Show podcast.