Why are we asking you to sign in? Find out more here
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
Why are we asking you to sign in? Find out more here
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
One of Dublin's most famous schoolboy clubs to be part of new U15 National League
DUBLIN SCHOOLBOY CLUB St Kevin’s Boys will be one of 24 teams competing in the first-ever SSE Airtricity U15 National League, it has been confirmed today.
The teams will compete in a shortened 2017 campaign, starting on the week ending 20 August, before a full season scheduled for March 2018 gets underway.
The initiative continues work done in recent years to create a clearer pathway for the development on young Irish footballers, with the previous establishment of U17 and U19 leagues.
Along with the 20 existing SSE Airtricity League clubs, three schoolboy leagues — Kerry Schoolboys League, Mayo League, Monaghan/Cavan Partnership — and St Kevin’s Boys will compete in the inaugural competition.
St Kevin’s Boys will feature in the shortened season after agreeing to work towards creating a partnership with Bohemian FC, thereby allowing the schoolboy club to join existing partnerships into the National Leagues.
Seven other clubs currently have partnerships with schoolboy sides – Bray Wanderers (St Joseph’s Boys), Drogheda United (Drogheda Schoolboys, Home Farm, NECSL Schoolboys), Dundalk (Malahide United), Galway United (Galway FA and Schoolboys), Shamrock Rovers (Corduff United, Kildare Schoolboys), St Patrick’s Athletic (Belvedere, Cherry Orchard, Crumlin United), and UCD (Mount Merrion).
The shortened season will feature four groups of six teams with the fixture list set to be released ahead of next month’s official launch.
“Having the U15 League in place further develops the pathway to elite football for the country’s most talented footballers,” FAI High Performance Director Ruud Dokter said in reaction to the news.
“I would like to congratulate each of the schoolboy clubs and leagues who successfully applied to forge partnerships with SSE Airtricity League clubs.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Arsenal star donates £50 for every minute he played at Euros to Grenfell fire fund>
Manchester United have launched their new home gear and it’s pretty nice>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
FAI initiative League of Ireland LOI National League Ruud Dokter St Kevin's Boys