Run by the Football Association of Ireland, the course catered for coaches working in the SSE Airtricity League, Continental Tyres Women's National League, Emerging Talent Programme, and International football.
While a lot of the graduates will use the qualification to improve their coaching sessions and structures, it also empowers them to work at a higher level with regard to Academy Director or Youth Development roles.
FAI High Performance Director Ruud Dokter insists that this positive step forward will ultimately help future generations of players as the graduates' expertise can make a difference from implementing the Player Development Plan all the way through to competing at an elite level on the domestic & international front.
"It is fantastic to see the progression of 18 coaches to what is considered by UEFA to be the highest level of qualification for youth coaching and each of the graduates deserve credit for their hard work throughout the course," said Dokter.
"One of the areas that the FAI identified when extending the elite player pathway with the SSE Airtricity League was ensuring that coaches were also developing alongside the players at Under 15, U17 and U19 level. That is clear to see here with 13 of the graduates currently working in those various tiers.
"Coach Education is so important to the development of Irish football and the more coaches that we get certified by UEFA at the highest level possible the better it is for the young players that they will be working with at grassroots level as well as elite level."
FAI Coach Education Manager Niall O'Regan believes this new course is another sign of progression for the Coach Education Pathway and will directly benefit the coaches.
"Having the UEFA Elite Youth A Licence is another step in the direction of providing specialist courses for coaches working in football. The licence allows coaches to work as Head of Youth Development and or Academy Director and will be an invaluable addition to the coaching pathway," said O'Regan.
The UEFA Elite Youth A Licence graduates include: Derek Boyle, Sharon Boyle, Billy Clery, Michael Dolan, Martin Doyle, William Doyle, Denis Hyland, Nigel Keady, Marc Kenny, Jamie Moore, Jimmy Mowlds, Ger O'Brien, Stephen Rice, Shane Robinson, John Russell, James Scott, Craig Sexton, Jamie Wilson