In 2018, the Blues broadened their scouting network to sign star Ronan Curtis from Derry City.
It was a gamble that paid off with the winger establishing himself as a key asset in Danny Cowley’s side.
But it’s not just the Fratton Park outfit who have had success, Oxford United have found success from the divison, while Rotherham recently secured Bohemians striker Georgie Kelly in January.
As the League of Ireland season kicked-off in March, we’ve taken a look at the best performers to depict who could catch the eye of League One managers.
Here’s what we found.
But it’s not just the Fratton Park outfit who have had success, Oxford United have found success from the divison, while Rotherham recently secured Bohemians striker Georgie Kelly in January.
![The 22-year-old Irishman is proving his worth in the engine room - showing off his technical abilities on the ball with his wide range of passing.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNlYmIwNDYxLWYxZGEtNDlhZS1iMDUxLWZhNDJmNGE4Nzg5MjpkZDVkYzQ2Ni1lZmRjLTQ0YTctOTIwNS01YWU2OTQ3OTZkZjE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Joseph Redmond
The 22-year-old Irishman is proving his worth in the engine room - showing off his technical abilities on the ball with his wide range of passing.Photo: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
![Another up-and-coming defender in the UCD side but is proving to be defensively sound, with his aerial presence in his own box along with his impressive last-ditch defending qualities.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ3NTFlNDZlLTk2ZmEtNDdhOC1hZmYzLTdjYTI2YjI0MGExNTo0NGUzYjYwZC05YmU1LTRhY2YtYjAwNS04Y2I5MzJiY2I1ODM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Sam Todd
Another up-and-coming defender in the UCD side but is proving to be defensively sound, with his aerial presence in his own box along with his impressive last-ditch defending qualities.Photo: JPIMedia
![23-year-old Kelly is one of the best performing central defenders this term - winning 84% of his defensive duels, the highest percentage of any centre-back.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJlM2JjYmQ0LWI0NWMtNGRiNy05MjhlLWMyZjRkYWIwY2U1ZToyYzI0M2Q4My1hYmZmLTQxMzYtYWJjYy03M2I1MTA4YWNmZWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Ciaran Kelly
23-year-old Kelly is one of the best performing central defenders this term - winning 84% of his defensive duels, the highest percentage of any centre-back.Photo: Darrell O'Kane
![Although his UCD side have conceded the most goals in the division, the up-and-coming ex-Southampton central defender is proving a menace to opposing strikers.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ4MzNjMjcwLWViNGMtNGY3YS1hMWI5LWY2ZWEyMzM4YThhYToxYzhiYjI2OS0xNmUxLTQyZTMtYjk0Yi1lMzliZDdiMTQyODY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Sean Anthony Brennan
Although his UCD side have conceded the most goals in the division, the up-and-coming ex-Southampton central defender is proving a menace to opposing strikers.Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE