N※N

GB Olympic team is not on Wales' radar - Noel Mooney

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. mpic-team-is-not-on-wales-radar-noel-mooney.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 6:38 GMT by The Irish News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

GB Olympic squad out of Wales’ focus, Noel Mooney says

In a recent interview with The Irish News, former international striker‑turned‑coach Noel Mooney made a striking remark that has caught the attention of the Welsh football community: the Great Britain Olympic football squad is “not on Wales radar.” The comment was made in the context of the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, when the United Kingdom will field a combined team for the first time since the 2012 London Games. With Wales building its own national programme and the Olympic squad comprising mostly English and Scottish talent, Mooney’s statement underscores a growing sentiment that the GB team is a separate project with little bearing on Welsh football’s future.

The Olympic football puzzle

The Olympic football competition operates under a strict age limit – teams are normally under‑23 squads, with each side allowed a maximum of three over‑age players. The tournament is also the only time that a United Kingdom national team other than England is eligible to compete, as the home nations’ football associations have traditionally declined to field a combined side. In 2012, however, a GB team played in London, winning a bronze medal and providing a high‑profile platform for several young British players.

For 2024, the GB Olympic squad is already in the early stages of selection. Football League officials, the British Olympic Association and the FA have been working closely to determine which players from the four home nations will make the cut. It is expected that the team will draw heavily from England’s youth pyramid – the country’s most prolific pool of under‑23 talent – with a few players from Scotland and Wales invited as well. However, given the size of England’s youth system, the proportion of Welsh players is likely to remain low.

Noel Mooney’s perspective

Noel Mooney, who has been coaching at the club level in the Republic of Ireland and has previously managed the Ireland U19 side, made his comments in an interview published on 15 July 2024. He explained that while he recognizes the prestige of a GB Olympic team, the squad’s composition and the selection process have little to do with Wales’ own development pathways.

“Wales is carving its own path,” Mooney said. “The GB squad is a unique entity, and its priorities are different. We’re working on a national programme that is independent of that structure. So, for now, the GB Olympic team is not really something we’re actively watching.”

Mooney also highlighted that the selection process for the GB squad is largely determined by the English FA, and that Welsh players will only be considered if they stand out within the limited spots available. The comment came after a series of Welsh internationals – such as Gareth Bale, who was omitted from the Olympic squad – who have been outspoken about the lack of clarity and opportunity for Welsh players in a GB context.

Welsh football’s own trajectory

Wales has a long history of balancing its own national identity with the broader UK football structure. The country has produced a steady stream of talent that has found success both domestically and abroad. However, recent years have seen a shift in focus toward the U21 and U23 setups, with an eye on bridging the gap between the club and senior national teams.

The Welsh FA has been investing in its talent pipeline, launching initiatives such as the “Welsh Development Academy” and partnering with clubs across the country to provide high‑level coaching. The aim is to create a sustainable system that feeds the national team with players who are trained in a consistent environment, without relying on the occasional invitation to a GB Olympic side.

Mooney’s comments resonate with the concerns of Welsh football stakeholders who fear that the GB Olympic project may undermine the country’s distinct developmental objectives. Critics argue that a combined team could potentially dilute the focus on Welsh talent and create a parallel path that competes with the national programme.

The broader debate

The debate over a GB Olympic team has resurfaced in recent years, with some arguing that a combined side would bring more resources, a higher profile and better competition for British players. Others, particularly from the home nations’ football associations, warn that such a move could erode the identity and autonomy of their national teams.

The BBC’s coverage of the selection process revealed that there were already discussions about including Welsh under‑21 striker Ryan Fisher, who has shown promise at the club level. Yet the selection of the final squad remains heavily influenced by the FA’s scouting network, which prioritises English clubs.

Mooney’s statement that the GB team is “not on Wales radar” could be interpreted in several ways. It may simply mean that Wales’ coaching staff are not actively monitoring the selection process, or it may suggest a more philosophical stance – that Welsh football prefers to maintain its independence from a United Kingdom umbrella team.

Looking ahead

As the 2024 Olympic Games approach, the conversation will undoubtedly intensify. The Welsh FA has stated that its priority remains to build a cohesive national side that competes on its own merits. At the same time, the FA and the British Olympic Association are working on a transparent selection process for the GB Olympic squad, which may eventually provide a platform for Welsh players to showcase their talent on a global stage.

For Noel Mooney, the focus remains on nurturing young talent within his club and national assignments. He emphasises that while a GB Olympic team might provide a prestigious opportunity, it is not a priority for Welsh football at this time.

In sum, the article from The Irish News serves as a micro‑snapshot of the larger discussion surrounding the GB Olympic football project and its relationship – or lack thereof – with Wales. Whether the GB squad will become a catalyst for British football unity or remain a separate experiment will hinge on the selection policies and the political will of the football associations involved. For now, Noel Mooney and many in Wales appear to be steering clear of the Olympic dream in favour of a distinct, self‑contained national programme.