Introduction
At SPC Football, we love highlighting rising talent across the game — players carving unique paths through passion, purpose, and perseverance.
This week’s spotlight shines on Ryan Lynch, a 19-year-old footballer from Dublin, Ireland, whose journey has taken him from captaining League of Ireland youth teams to representing Ireland at both the 6-a-Side World Cup and Euros.
Ryan’s story is about adapting to change, finding joy in new formats of the game, and chasing big dreams in small-sided football.
Q: Ryan, thanks for joining us. Tell us about your background and journey in football so far.
A: Thanks for having me! I’m a 19-year-old footballer from Dublin, Ireland. For most of my career, I’ve played traditional 11-a-side football, competing in the League of Ireland with clubs such as Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, and Longford Town — where I had the honour of captaining the team at underage level.
I later played in the DDSL U18 Premier Division, winning several trophies including the All-Ireland title, and was selected for the Leinster representative squad, which was a proud moment for me.
But after that season, I realised there weren’t many clear pathways beyond U18 level. The next step in Ireland is usually the Leinster Senior League, but I wasn’t a fan of the style of football played there. That’s when I decided to switch focus — moving into 6-a-side and futsal. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Since then, I’ve gone on to represent Ireland at the 6-a-Side World Cup and European Championships (2024/2025), and I’m now Irish Champion with my club, Moldova Boys, who have also qualified for the 6-a-Side Champions League.
Q: That’s an incredible journey. How did you first get involved in futsal and 6-a-side football?
A: When I decided to step away from 11-a-side, I started exploring the futsal scene. I trained with a team in the Dublin Premier Futsal League — mostly Brazilian players — which was tough at first because of the language barrier, so I didn’t end up signing.
Then I joined a 6-a-side club called Moldova Boys, who play in the top Dublin 6-a-Side League. A former teammate, Kyle Cooke, was already part of the Ireland 6-a-side squad and shared a lot about it online, which caught my attention.
He helped connect me with the squad, and I was invited to train in September. I got on really well — my agility and technical ability suited small-sided football perfectly. After performing well in a pre-tournament in England, I was selected to travel to Oman for the 2024 6-a-Side World Cup.
That tournament was one of the best experiences of my life — representing Ireland on a world stage was something I’ll never forget.
“Once I experienced the 6-a-Side World Cup, I knew this was the direction I wanted to take my career.”
Q: How different is futsal or 6-a-side compared to 11-a-side football?
A: The difference is massive. In futsal, the tempo is much faster, and you’re constantly involved — there’s no hiding. You need to be alert, technical, and able to protect the ball under pressure.
Agility and quick decision-making are key, whereas in 11-a-side, pace and explosiveness often take priority because of the larger pitch. I really enjoy the technical and tactical challenges of futsal and 6-a-side — it suits my strengths and keeps me fully engaged every second.
Q: Can you tell us more about how the small-sided football structure works in Ireland?
A: In Ireland, the 6-a-side setup is still developing compared to other countries. The main competition is the Dublin 6-a-Side League, which has three divisions and an annual cup.
Ireland Socca also run national tournaments where teams can win prize money and qualify for the Champions League.
Across Europe, leagues like the Ballers League and ICON League are at an incredibly high level with big names involved. On the international side, the International Socca Federation (ISF) runs four major events every year — the Champions League, World Cup, Copa America, and EuroCup.
For futsal, the FAI runs the league in two divisions. The winner of the top division qualifies for the UEFA Futsal Champions League qualifiers — a huge incentive for players and clubs.
Q: What are your short- and long-term goals?
A:
Short-term: I want to be selected for the 2025 6-a-Side World Cup in Cancun and continue improving through the football course I’m currently studying.
Medium-term: I aim to make the Ireland squad for EuroCup 2026, qualify for the 6-a-Side Champions League with Moldova Boys, and sign with one of the top global small-sided leagues — like Ballers League, Kings League, ICON League, or the MASL.
Long-term: My dream is to play at the top level of small-sided football and build a social media platform around it — something that can help develop and promote 6-a-side football in Ireland.
“I want to show that small-sided football can be a serious career path — not just a side game.”
Q: What’s been your biggest achievement so far?
A: Without a doubt, playing for Ireland at the World Cup. Wearing that shirt and representing my country on a global stage is something I’ll never take for granted.
Q: A few quick-fire questions to finish!
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Current Club: Moldova Boys
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Dream Job: Professional Footballer
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Favourite Match Attended: Barcelona vs Celtic at the Aviva Stadium
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Three Dream Dinner Guests: Neymar, Steven Gerrard, Antoine Griezmann
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Dream Car: Porsche
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Favourite Holiday Destination: Malaga
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Favourite Food: Sunday roast
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Favourite Colour: None — depends on the kit!
Conclusion
Ryan’s story captures the spirit of modern football — adaptability, ambition, and courage to take a different path. From League of Ireland youth football to the 6-a-Side World Cup, he’s proving that opportunities in the game come in many forms.
At SPC Football, we’re proud to share stories like his that show how persistence and passion can lead to new horizons — no matter what level you start from.
👉 Looking for your next football coaching role? Browse global opportunities here: www.sportsprosconnect.com/jobs/
👉 Want to build your profile, connect with clubs, and access exclusive member benefits? Join SPC Football today.
👉 Check out Ryan’s SPCF profile page: https://spcfootball.com/profiles/ryanlynch/
See you on the pitch soon!
