BLACKBURN Rovers look to have beaten Chelsea in the race for one of Irish football's brightest young talents.

Republic of Ireland Under 15 international Gavin Gunning has indicated he's ready to snub the Premier League champions and sign for Rovers after both clubs spent months pursuing the highly-rated teenager.

The 15-year-old is a powerful six foot-plus centre half, who lists former Arsenal and England stalwart Tony Adams amongst his heroes, and he emerged as a target for the likes of Chelsea, Rovers, Manchester United and Arsenal after turning in some impressive performances for Crumlin United in Ireland.

However, after being given a tour of Rovers' impressive training facilities at Brockhall, Gunning has decided to follow in the footsteps of fellow Irishmen like Damien Duff and Keith Treacy by opting for a move to Blackburn.

Rovers' Academy director, Bobby Downes, has hailed Gunning's potential capture as a significant piece of business for the club, saying: "He hasn't signed for us as yet but he has indicated he will do, which would be a great coup for us.

"He's only 15 but he's a very promising young player and we've put a lot of effort into trying to get him here.

"Mark Hughes and his staff have indicated there will be chances for some of our young players in the first team, and some of them have already started training with the first team squad, which is something that never happened under Graeme Souness.

"That's something that we have been able to sell to Gavin, that he's more likely to get his chance here than he would at some of the other clubs."

Gunning will sign a one-year scholarship form with Rovers, which will take him through to his sixteenth birthday at the end of January 2007, when he will then transfer to a two-and-a-half year professional contract, tying him up to the end of the 2008/9 season.

John Stokes, the Irish representative for the Stellar Group, who advise Gunning, said that Gavin and his family were thrilled that a move to the Premier League had been secured.

"We are all delighted for Gavin, it is great news for the lad. He has worked very hard to get to this stage and was being watched regularly by several clubs from England," said Stokes.

"But he knew that he just had to focus on his football and everything would fall into place.

"He and his family are really looking forward to seeing him progress at Blackburn and I wish him every success at his new club.

"Hopefully he can go on to fulfil his huge promise and enjoy a successful career in top level football."

News of Gunning's decision is a welcome boost for the Academy at the end of a week in which they crashed out of the FA Youth Cup at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.