Inside Northern Ireland's football conveyor belt as Michael O'Neill visits Campbell College

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has made no bones about his desire to give youth a chance.

Included in the squad this international window are teenagers Ceadach O'Neill, Tom Atcheson, Braiden Graham and Kieran Morrison, while 21-year-old Patrick Kelly and 22-year-old Terry Devlin have begun to stake their claim for regular inclusion.

A golden generation, or is this simply Northern Ireland's football factory - the IFA JD National Academy - beginning to bear fruit?

As Northern Ireland fans began to digest Monday's 0-0 draw at home to Hungary, following a 1-0 win in Georgia on Friday which has ensured a positive start to their Nations League campaign, O'Neill visited Campbell College which is home to the academy where teenage hopefuls seek to develop into potential stars at club and international level.

"I know about all these players in here, know the clubs they are attracting attention from, their positions," O'Neill told BBC Sport NI.

"We have regular meetings as staff every month with regular updates on the academy and where those players are going.

"Our job is to prepare them as best as possible and guide them if that opportunity comes to take the next step into the professional game in England or Scotland."

Football skills and education of equal importance

The academy at Campbell College is a residential, designed for 24 elite young players at under-15 and under-16 level, providing preparation for life away from home should that come to pass.

While athletes, they remain students with equal emphasis on football and life skills. Education in the classroom is a key component because, in the world of professional football, there are no guarantees.

Academy student Bailey Magee plays at club level with Glenavon.

His day is typical for a 16-year-old with school dominating until mid-afternoon. Once the bell rings, however, it is time to hit the gym and the pitch before returning to any school work in the evening.

If his dream of becoming a professional footballer comes true, then spending so much time away from home will be worth it.

"Going away with Northern Ireland has helped me because I'm able to stay away from home and you get used to that a wee bit," said Magee.

"The hardest times are [after] Christmas because that's when you're coming back after spending a long time with family.

"The IFA and Campbell have done really well when you're trying to mix the two and balance football with studies.

"I'll work hard until the end of the year and whatever happens, happens. I'll maybe do A-Levels, maybe a B.Tech or full-time football academy with the likes of Linfield or Larne, so there are loads of different pathways for us."

Those sentiments are shared by 15-year-old Kayson Braniff who is currently on the books at Linfield.

"My dad had drilled it into my head that we need our studies," he said.

"It's not as if football is everything, studies come first because you definitely need them in case football doesn't work out."

Investing in youth paying dividends - O'Neill

Clubs in England have the ability to integrate young players into their systems from a young age, which can mean those from NI playing catch-up if and when they make the switch in their mid-teens.

Therefore, preparing potential stars for the rigours of life in a new environment with new coaches can only be enhanced by time in the NI academy which O'Neill believes makes teenagers "better equipped" to make their mark at an English or Scottish club.

Helping young players realise their professional dream is intrinsic, but for Northern Ireland, unearthing new stars to graduate into the senior team is equally important.

"Two or three years ago we brought players in a bit younger than their club career suggested they were at that level, but it pays dividends now," said the current boss.

"You need the right people in the right positions to make that work and I think we have that.

"Players have decisions to make on their club situations and international situations, but your pathway is very important as it builds a loyalty within players.

"We want young players from whatever part of the community they come from to be part of this pathway to become senior international players."

Pathways are all well and good, but watching previous graduates from the academy go on to wear the green jersey or star in Champions League games like Conor Bradley ensures it is a tangible goal for those currently involved.

The current Northern Ireland manager taking such an active interest helps too.

"He's a really nice guy and to think I could be in that team in the next few years, which is the goal, it's really reassuring," Magee said of his sitdown with O'Neill on Tuesday.

Braniff agreed O'Neill's interest confirms "he cares about the youth".

Both are hopeful they can follow in the footsteps of previous graduates. If that results in a move to a full-time club, it will represent another success story for the academy.

"It doesn't matter who it's for or where it is, so long as it's a professional team and a professional contract," said Braniff.

Watch our full behind the scenes access , external on the BBC NI YouTube channel right now.