BURNLEY'S popularity across the Irish Sea has soared due to the rising success of teenage duo Kyle Lafferty and Chris McCann, according to head of youth development Vince Overson.

His assessment follows the Clarets' move to sign NINE apprentices, from which Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are represented.

The nine 16-year-old apprentices include Jonathan Sergeant, an Ulster goalkeeper spotted by Raymond Laverty, the Clarets scout that recognised the potential of international striker Lafferty.

Also among the bunch is left-footed midfielder Joe O'Neill, who starred for Dublin-based Home Farm, the same club from which McCann was plucked.

McCann and Lafferty, both 18, have just enjoyed successful breakthrough seasons at Turf Moor.

Enniskillen striker Lafferty broke into the first team squad following his arrival at Turf Moor and, following a fine loan spell at Darlington, scored his first senior goal for Burnley on the final day of the Championship term against Luton.

A wonderful season was capped off when he made his Northern Ireland debut at the age of 18 in last month's defeat by Uruguay in New Jersey, USA.

Midfielder McCann, a U17, U18 and U19 Republic of Ireland international, was catapulted into Burnley's first team squad last August and awarded a professional contract in December after making a huge impression.

The Dubliner, who made 27 league and cup appearances, was rewarded for his performances by scooping the club's Young Player of the Year award.

Following the duo's progress, Overson believes up-and-coming footballers from Ireland are becoming increasingly aware of manager Steve Cotterill's reputation for throwing opportunities to players with raw promise.

"Because of the two lads coming through, Chris and Kyle, and the success they have had, it's made us more popular in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

"In particular, the areas where they come from," said Overson.

"They see the manager has given them professional terms and given them a chance in the first team.

"It sends out a good message to any apprentice coming over.

"If you do work hard and you do show promise, here is a manager (Cotterill) that will give you that chance."

Overson reckons this next crop of apprentices - seven of which have appeared for the Clarets' reserve and youth teams - have every chance of making the grade.

The players all signed an initial two-year apprenticeship contract with the club.

Each week, they will combine training and college study, with Youth Alliance games on Saturday and reserve matches in midweek.

Overson said: "All we are doing is giving these lads a vehicle.

"With the potential they have, they must work hard and try to push on and stand out from the rest." The new arrivals include Burnley-born Adam Kay, a central midfielder who joined from local junior side Borrowdale United.

Defender Dean Stott, also from Burnley, signs up alongside tall striker Rob Turner, both of whom studied at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, in Blackburn.

The other four apprentices are Gawthorpe High student Thomas Bradley, Scotland U16 winger Lewis Craig, Manchester midfielder Ash Young and former Cheshire Schoolboys star Alex McDonald.