Changes to Under-19 and Under-17 football.

[nigel-harps1954]

Interim season in 2015 with 2016 season to run in tandem with Senior football.

http://loi19.com/index.php/latest-news/256-interim-season-information

[gufcfan]

I wasn't sure if the u17s would ever happen when it was first being spoken about seriously.

I didn't think Ruud Dokter would get anything of substance done, no matter how good his intentions.

[gufc2000]

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/14273/fai-unveil-new-u17-league-format/

[ybig]

anyone any news on the 2016 u19 season. the format etc

[gufc2000]

http://galwayunitedfc.ie/united-placed-in-u19-southern-elite-division/

Galway Utd, Limerick, Cork City, Cobh Ramblers, Wexford Youths, Waterford United, Cabinteely, Bray Wanderers, UCD and Shamrock Rovers.

So presumably, that leaves:

Finn Harps, Derry, Sligo, Dundalk, Longford, Athlone, Drogheda, Bohemians, Shelbourne, St. Patricks Athletic.

Are Letterkenny entering again?

[nigel-harps1954]

Far as I know letterkenny Rovers are entering again yeah.

[culloty82]

Reported in the local press that if the Kerry U-17 team is a success, the plan is to move up to the U-19s either the following year or 2018.

[gufc2000]

http://www.mayonews.ie/sports/27108-mayo-league-of-ireland-team-mooted

Looks like Mayo might be in at some stage now too.

[nigel-harps1954]

As long as it's not a 'Mayo League' team. They'd need either a proper new identity, Mayo FC or something of the like. Mayo League teams have been entering the League Cup for years and get little to no crowds. Milebush Park is outside of Castlebar too which sort of goes against them in terms of attracting crowds.

Hopefully something like this works though. Adding League of Ireland teams from Kerry and Mayo would be really progressive for the league.

It's nice to see the FAI involved in attracting new teams though. Credit where it's due, it looks like they're actually trying.

[gufc2000]

Kerry playing under the 'Kerry League' name in the U-17 League this season.

Confirmation of groupings below. Letterkenny not in U-19 League anymore

U-17 Groups http://loi17.com/index.php/latest-news/33-2016-groups-announced

U-19 Groups http://loi19.com/index.php/latest-news/277-2016-groups-announced

[nigel-harps1954]

Letterkenny pulling out comes as no surprise really. They harboured ambitions of being a senior League of Ireland club, but they were never going to get their wish.

The only surprise really is that they accepted it so soon. It's certainly not for financial reasons anyway, unless they want to pump more money into keeping senior players from joining Finn Harps.

[gufc2000]

Full fixture lists for both divisions in both age groups

http://sseairtricityleague.ie/news/35-underage-league/6577-sse-airtricity-u17-u19-league-fixtures-confirmed