National Underage Leagues and LOI underage

[RathfarnhamHoop]

With the Kennedy Cup being on it got me wondering. Will players with LOI clubs be able to play in that when that age group gets going? Everyone I know that played in it in years gone by loved playing in it, it'd be a shame for kids to miss the opportunity.

[gufcfan]

With the Kennedy Cup being on it got me wondering. Will players with LOI clubs be able to play in that when that age group gets going? Everyone I know that played in it in years gone by loved playing in it, it'd be a shame for kids to miss the opportunity.

That would be asking for trouble. It would just **** off juvenile leagues. Kids playing underage LOI are already playing at a high level. The Kennedy Cup gives kids not in that system a chance to measure themselves against others at that level. The cup format is born out of a necessity that doesn't exist with underage LOI.

I'm surprised at the amount of progress that has been made with implementing underage national leagues and the amount of apparent cooperation from the SFAI. There's no need to go out of our way to **** them off.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford recently announced a number of partnerships with junior clubs in the south of the country.

- Two Mile Boris/St. Kevin's FC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/twomileborrisclubpartnership/
- Ferrybank http://www.waterfordfc.ie/ferrybankclubpartnership/
- Clonmel Town http://www.waterfordfc.ie/clonmelclubpartnership/

[Philosophizer]

With the Kennedy Cup being on it got me wondering. Will players with LOI clubs be able to play in that when that age group gets going? Everyone I know that played in it in years gone by loved playing in it, it'd be a shame for kids to miss the opportunity.

I played in it as a kid. It was no better than any other underage tournament to me, like the Foyle cup or Milk cup etc.

I have to agree with gufcfan, the main reason why those tournaments are so important is because we never had a proper country-wide structure of the best kids consistently playing against the best kids each week, so the Kennedy cup was the closest we had. Now that we'll have the LOI underage leagues, the Kennedy cup should still go ahead, but it will become a chance for the best kids playing with regional league teams to be scouted by the LOI clubs.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I played in it as a kid. It was no better than any other underage tournament to me, like the Foyle cup or Milk cup etc.

I have to agree with gufcfan, the main reason why those tournaments are so important is because we never had a proper country-wide structure of the best kids consistently playing against the best kids each week, so the Kennedy cup was the closest we had. Now that we'll have the LOI underage leagues, the Kennedy cup should still go ahead, but it will become a chance for the best kids playing with regional league teams to be scouted by the LOI clubs.

Yeah I think that's why the lads I know enjoyed it so much because it was the best vs the best which I guess isn't an issue if you're already playing in the national league.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford recently announced a number of partnerships with junior clubs in the south of the country.

- Two Mile Boris/St. Kevin's FC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/twomileborrisclubpartnership/
- Ferrybank http://www.waterfordfc.ie/ferrybankclubpartnership/
- Clonmel Town http://www.waterfordfc.ie/clonmelclubpartnership/

Another club added to the partnership today.
- Thomastown United AFC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/thomastownclubpartnership/

[Siberian]

Another club added to the partnership today.
- Thomastown United AFC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/thomastownclubpartnership/

Do you have an idea what criteria Waterford FC are using to go into partnership with certain Schoolboy clubs in the South East. I wonder do these Schoolboy clubs have big representations with their counties in the Kennedy Cup. I assume the many clubs that haven't been selected for partnership can still recommend players directly to Waterford Fc if they think they have potential to play at LOI U15 level?

[gufcfan]

The idea of LOI clubs doing deals with specific juvenile clubs doesn't sit well with me. This is just perpetuating one of the problems with Irish football.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

The idea of LOI clubs doing deals with specific juvenile clubs doesn't sit well with me. This is just perpetuating one of the problems with Irish football.

As far as i know most of the deals are only 3-5 year deals so maybe the thinking is get the trusted method on board for the teething process then when its proven to work go out on your own. Also some deals with clubs vary a lot, you get the range of bray and joeys basically merging to some clubs just doing training sessions together and playing friendly's so the LOI teams get their foot in the door in the players minds so they trust them to go there instead of other LOI clubs or England.

[Philosophizer]

The idea of LOI clubs doing deals with specific juvenile clubs doesn't sit well with me. This is just perpetuating one of the problems with Irish football.

I think it's necessary, at least for a short while. LOI clubs have never been in the minds of our best young players so the LOI clubs need to make these mergers to start getting their face out there and into the consciousness of the most talented kids in the country

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford recently announced a number of partnerships with junior clubs in the south of the country.

- Two Mile Boris/St. Kevin's FC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/twomileborrisclubpartnership/
- Ferrybank http://www.waterfordfc.ie/ferrybankclubpartnership/
- Clonmel Town http://www.waterfordfc.ie/clonmelclubpartnership/
- Thomastown United AFC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/thomastownclubpartnership/

A fifth club joins the club partnership as announced earlier today. This time a Carlow based club. Clubs from Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford now involved in the club partnership scheme.

- St. Patrick's Boys AFC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/st-patricks-boys-join-waterford-fc-club-partnership-programme/

[ToberonaTornado]

Former hero for so many at Dundalk FC.Great lad and i'm delighted for 'T' - Hard work pays off

MULVENNA APPOINTED U15S COACHhttp://www.dundalkfc.com/mulvenna-appointed-u15s-coach/

[Nesta99]

Self praise is no praise TT! :p It is always good to see former players especially those who genuinely care about a club being brought on board. It keeps the soul and tradition of a club being passed on to younger players and indeed fans.

[cobhlad]

Information still fairly thin on the ground about this u15 league. Will have a huge impact on schoolboys football. How many clubs have appointed managers yet? Probably missing a few here that are already announced.

Athlone -
Bray - Bernard Byrne
Bohs -
Cabo - John McShane
Cobh - Darran O'Shea
Cork - Dan Murray/Billy Woods
Derry -
Drogs -
Dundalk - Tiarnan Mulvenna
Galway -
Harps - Kevin McHugh
Kerry -
Limerick -
Longford -
Mons -
Pats - Dennis Hyland
Rovers - Damien Duff
Shels -
Sligo - Conor O’Grady, Marcel Gordon, Paul Masterson
UCD -
Waterford - Fran Rockett
Wexford -

[thebronze14]

I think Waterford will win this easily...I'm basing this solely on the truly fantastic name of their manager!

[legendz]

A fifth club joins the club partnership as announced earlier today. This time a Carlow based club. Clubs from Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford now involved in the club partnership scheme.

- St. Patrick's Boys AFC http://www.waterfordfc.ie/st-patricks-boys-join-waterford-fc-club-partnership-programme/

Sensible move by Waterford, establishing links in nearby areas that have no LoI club. Firstly broadens the net for the best players in the area. It can also possibly help to encourage support from these areas.

[Philosophizer]

Strange that nobody has announced a partnership with Evergreen in Kilkenny city yet. They should be next on Waterford's list you'd think.

[nigel-harps1954]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1185800/st-kevins-boys-set-to-be-included-in-new-national-u-15s-league/


G'wan the FAI. It was only a matter of time before they gave in to one of these schoolboy money-making machines.

[Philosophizer]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1185800/st-kevins-boys-set-to-be-included-in-new-national-u-15s-league/


G'wan the FAI. It was only a matter of time before they gave in to one of these schoolboy money-making machines.

Ah ffs! This makes mockery of the whole thing now.

[Philosophizer]

But if this story is indeed true, at least they'll still be required to enter a team into the senior league, so it's not all terrible i suppose.

[sbgawa]

The child slave trade continues.
These slave traders recently sent 4 children off to mighty Stevenage and were blind enough to boast about it.
The EU should get involved here and ban child slavery until at least 18 and then at least these kids will have an education to fall back on.
I know that's a bit nanny state but the mental health and social problems of a lot of the children who are shipped out is the dark side of the game.

[Stuttgart88]

But if this story is indeed true, at least they'll still be required to enter a team into the senior league, so it's not all terrible i suppose.Is the bit I highlighted definite?

I'm confused. Of course I prefer the LOI clubs to have the top-to-bottom control over the training of our better youngsters and the old fragmented model was a disaster. But is this not a sign that at least one schoolboy club has now conceded it needs to integrate into the national system? That was my instinctive reaction when I read Neil O'Riordan this morning.

[Kingdom]

There's nothing in that story to say they've to conform to anything. If they get in August, without jumping through hoops like everyone else, there'll be murder.

[Philosophizer]

Is the bit I highlighted definite?

It's actually not. I misread the article.

Kingdom is right. If they get into the u15 league without having to enter a senior team, while the likes of Home Farm, Cherry Orchard, Belvo etc set up links with LOI clubs i can imagine that a lot of ire. Surely they wouldn't fcuk over all the other DDSL clubs and give Kevin's a free pass would they?

[Charlie Darwin]

They applied to enter a senior team before and were rejected.

They're entering an u15 side, players who will be u17 in a couple of years, so they'll need to add a team to that league. Then u19 and presumably then senior, same as how it appears the Kerry District League are doing it.

[sbgawa]

Except kevins will sell off the kids for 5k each before they reach under 17s .

[Kingdom]

They applied to enter a senior team before and were rejected.

They're entering an u15 side, players who will be u17 in a couple of years, so they'll need to add a team to that league. Then u19 and presumably then senior, same as how it appears the Kerry District League are doing it.

Just to be fair on this, I would love, absolutely love to see Kevins in the League of Ireland, purely because of the sheer number of kids they have coming through the gates, they should[B] have a high level senior side.

They were rejected and told to follow the same practices as all other clubs, but now are just going to go it alone? It doesn't add up, and I stand by my contention that there is going to be murder.

[Charlie Darwin]

They should have a high-level senior side but they've never been interested in having one. It was only the threat of the under-15 league that sparked them into action.

[Nesta99]

Just to be fair on this, I would love, absolutely love to see Kevins in the League of Ireland, purely because of the sheer number of kids they have coming through the gates, they [B]should have a high level senior side.
.

It wouldnt be so bad if it worked out like that but if they are thinking of a model where youth players progress to a senior side in LoI it will be a best of the rest team as the supposed top potential talents they will still hawk off to anyone and everyone in England with scant regard for the full welfare and best pathway for those players. If they didnt have the income from player sales they would struggle badly to meet the costs of even a bottom 1st Division club unless they broaden their thinking to a Cabinteely - a ready made fanbase to develop along with the young players. Most associations have restrictions on players being signed before 18 and is enforced as we have seen in Spain even if the clubs 'managed' their sanction; I thought there were restrictions with the English FA on players moving a certain distance but this has been got round by families moving as long as that move hasnt directly been incentivised, i dont know the regulations at all well but how is it that that kids from Ireland can be signed and move to the UK? I think myself that those at St Kevins and their like really believe the are giving their top talent the best chance of a career in the game and the transfer fees are secondary but keep the show on the road as a necessary evil to them. Arrogance and symptomatic of the disregard of the senior here. At least if it ends up that there has to be progression to senior levels to enter new underage national leagues that dismissivness will fall off over time.

[GUFCghost]

Is there room for a Kevin's senior team?Were is their core support gonna come from?

[legendz]

Seems they've lobbied well enough to get in where others have failed. I disagree with it.

I hope over the next few years that it will prove more attractive for the best upcoming talent in the capital to link up with the youth teams of senior LoI clubs.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is there room for a Kevin's senior team?
Should be an Athlone-shaped spot opening up fairly soon.

[legendz]

Is there room for a Kevin's senior team?Were is their core support gonna come from?
If they are being admitted to the youth leagues, they should have to enter a senior team as well.

[Philosophizer]

Is there room for a Kevin's senior team?Were is their core support gonna come from?

Kevin's are a very well known name in the city, especially around the north side and their home in Santry of course. I assume they'd be able to draw an average gate in the low hundreds, similar to Cabo and UCD, and if they had a senior team that was successful their crowds would grow. Just look at Sporting Fingal who managed to draw support in Santry when they had a bit of success.

[sbgawa]

They should be made put a team into the senior league , if they achieve even a modicum of success then they might change their focus and thus create a pathway for kids that allows them develop and continue their education.
Anything is better than the current way they send young kids off.

[Martinho II]

Is there room for a Kevin's senior team?Were is their core support gonna come from?

santry

[Charlie Darwin]

If they are being admitted to the youth leagues, they should have to enter a senior team as well.
If this wasn't the FAI, I'd assume they were being sent on a path to gradually grow from u15 to u17 to u19 and then to fielding a senior side, which would make sense. I hope the KDL and Cavan-Mon follow that path too.

[Kiki Balboa]

So St. Kevins boys confirmed.

Quick question, does anybody know what these partnership with underage clubs entails? Is it just they provide players? Will these be considered transfers between clubs with fees or is it just a single payment? Or will they get percentage when they move on to foreign clubs?

[Kingdom]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1204934/fai-want-st-kevins-boys-and-bohemians-to-form-an-alliance/

[Kingdom]

http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/24-teams-to-make-up-sse-airtricity-u15-league
Kevins confirmed with FAI themselves mentioning Bohs. Jesus Christ they are a bloody shambles


St Kevin's Boys will compete in the shortened season after agreeing to work towards creating a partnership with Bohemian FC, which will allow St Kevin's Boys to join existing partnerships into the National Leagues.

[Philosophizer]

So St. Kevins boys confirmed.

Quick question, does anybody know what these partnership with underage clubs entails? Is it just they provide players? Will these be considered transfers between clubs with fees or is it just a single payment? Or will they get percentage when they move on to foreign clubs?

Maybe it differs per partnership, but the Irish Sun recently said about Joeys partnership with Bray_

"As part of the agreement, 20 per cent of any transfer fees or compensation received are ring-fenced for the jointly-run academy, with the remaining money going to whichever club the player was affiliated to at the time of his departure." https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1208045/controversy-over-st-kevins-boys-and-new-under-15-league-raises-big-questions/

I'm guessing the other partnerships with schoolboy clubs are similar.

[Philosophizer]

SCHOOLBOY clubs have threatened to sever their link-ups with SSE Airtricity League clubs in protest at St Kevin’s Boys’ admission to the under-15 league.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1258354/schoolboy-clubs-threaten-to-sever-link-ups-with-sse-airtricity-league-clubs-in-protest-at-st-kevins-boys-admission-to-u15-league/

"The Dublin clubs have also told the Association that they will formally sever their links if St Kevin’s are allowed to compete in the new league in their own right.

Clubs in Cork and Limerick are believed to have issued similar warnings.

But it is now unclear if the introduction of the under-15 league – which in time is to be followed by one at under-13 level – can go ahead as planned."

[sbgawa]

I heard rumour that the LOI clubs are talking about giving Walkovers to Kevins in all their matches if it happens.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Gotta say I'm with the other schoolboy clubs here, it will be very fair if they pull out. Sounds like Kevin's played the fai.

[Philosophizer]

Gotta say I'm with the other schoolboy clubs here, it will be very fair if they pull out. Sounds like Kevin's played the fai.
I think everyone in Ireland, except Kevin's, wants Kevin's out of the national league. They only got in because they hired some big-shot solicitor and the FAI got scared. Now the other clubs have threatened to derail the whole process and it's just turned into one giant clusterfcuk, mainly down to Kevin's outrageous ego I might add.

[Charlie Darwin]

I've met Kevin and he does have an outrageous ego.

[ger121]

I've met Kevin and he does have an outrageous ego.

He's a right proper good time Charlie.

[Philosophizer]

It was confirmed at the FAI agm that the national u13 league is due to begin in March 2019.

[sbgawa]

It was confirmed at the FAI agm that the national u13 league is due to begin in March 2019.

Great news , can't come quickly enough

[pineapple stu]

An extra 15/20k expense on already strapped clubs though.

I'm sure the FAI's couple of hundred quid travel grant will help...

Good idea, but badly executed by the FAI i think.