The last time he took to the touchline was during the Under-19s European Championship qualifier against Austria last November.

Nine months on from that fixture, he was back at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown casting his eye over 60 home-based players, split between two training camps last Sunday.

With fixtures ahead of the new season to be confirmed, Tom is making sure his players are raring to go.

He said: “It’s important that we look at them [the players] early in the season. We’ll narrow the numbers down and look to do a home-based event again in September.

“I’ve spoken to the players and have said, for them to be playing Under-19s international football they’ve got to be looking at playing first team football here in Ireland or at least knocking on the door of the first team. That’s easier said than done but that’s the challenge.

“All of the players that have been playing first-team football, we’ve had a chance to see them play in that environment and it’s been brilliant. Some of them have been blossoming at that level and that’s a good early indication for the season going forward.”

Tom said the successful transition of players from his Under-19s team to the Under-21s and Senior Men’s Team have helped inspired the next generation of players.

He added: “The younger age groups that are coming through will take great inspiration from the players who have done really well and stepped up into the Under-21s and into the Senior team. That’s the bigger picture and it’s our job to help produce players ready to step into the Under-21s and senior football.”