In order to aid the pathway between underage football and the League of Ireland, the FAI have been rolling out new underage leagues over the last few years. In recent times we got an under-17 league to add to the already existing under-19 league. Yesterday morning, the Association launched the first ever SSE Airtricity under-15 league.
Rudd Dokter, the FAI High Performance Director announced the formation of the league:
Having the Under-15 League in place further develops the pathway to elite football for the country's most talented footballers.
This now means that the very best Under-15 players throughout the country will now play against the highest quality opposition, thus enhancing their development as they progress to top level senior football.
I would like to congratulate each of the schoolboy clubs and Leagues who successfully applied to forge partnerships with SSE Airtricity League clubs.
However, Dokter finished his statement with the following line.
I would also like to thank those who have been unsuccessful in their applications. The Working Group will continue to be available to work with these clubs on their future development plans.
The league was meant to consist of 24 teams, split into four groups of six teams. All twenty League of Ireland clubs would be represented, alongside Kerry Schoolboys League, Mayo League, the Monaghan/Cavan partnership - and St.Kevin's Boys.
It's that last inclusion which is causing a lot of bother. Other clubs had tried to enter the new league, only to be told that they must have a partnership with a current club to do so. So they did:
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)
UCD (Mount Merrion)
So the decision to let Kevin's in on their own hasn't gone down well at all with other local clubs:
Absolute farce. It's either no schoolboy clubs or open to all. They have opened a can of worms now
— Ray Healy (@blueray1978) July 3, 2017
In the press release, the FAI noted that Kevin's had 'agreed to work towards a partnership with Bohemians'. That raised another problem. Bohemians already have a working relationship with the NDSL (North Dublin Schoolboy League) which the FAI neglected to mention. It led to this statement from the NDSL on their Facebook page three hours after the press release:
Having read the statement from the FAI this morning with regards to the U15’s Airtricity National League and to our surprise, without a mention of the NDSL having a partnership with Bohemians FC for the past 3 years and the first league to have such a partnership.
We have recently concluded the arrangements for not only the U17’s but Now the new U15’s with Bohemians FC Airtricity National League , that both teams will use our facilities for both training and home games.
In light of the statement from the FAI I am seeking an urgent meeting with the Chairman of Bohemians FC in order to clarify what deal has been done with St Kevins FC as the NDSL are already in partnership with Bohemians FC I would believe that any deal done with St Kevins FC would have to be agreed with the North Dublin Schoolboys/Girls League
Honorary Secretary , CEO North Dublin Schoolboys/Girls League
Mr. Tony Gains
That put pressure on Bohemians to come out with a response to try and clarify the situation, which they did via a statement on their website last night:
On June 30th, Bohemian FC and St Kevin’s Boys FC signed the following agreement:
“Bohemian FC and St Kevin’s Boys FC hereby agree to enter a process to work towards creating a partnership, which will allow St Kevin’s Boys join the existing pathway to the National Leagues.
“Both clubs are committed to enter into this process in the spirit of good faith, and with a genuine commitment to agree a lasting and sustainable partnership.
“Both parties recognise and respect the current partnership between Bohemians and the NDSL.”
An FAI statement issued at lunchtime today to announce the make-up of the new SSE Airtricity Under-15 League included the following line:
“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.”
The failure to mention our partnership with the NDSL was an unfortunate omission, which has led to some confusion today.
The SSE Airtricity League has since clarified this with the following addition online:
“Along with working towards a partnership with St Kevin’s Boys, Bohemians have committed to a partnership with NDSL.”
Bohemian FC wishes to reiterate our commitment to continuing and building upon our relationship with the NDSL.
Kevin's have a strong reputation for producing future Irish stars: Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick both plied their trade with the club in the past.
If they get into the new league though, there could be trouble for the governing body.
