Under-17 League to start August 2015

BOHtox

http://www.punditarena.com/football/tstafford/fai-seek-expression-interest-national-u17-league/

Finally a positive step forward for both Irish international and domestic football.
If it keeps players in the game longer in Ireland as they see chances for development that's going to be a good thing.

A few points.
-Taking expressions of interests from non-loi teams
-Will run parallel to the U19s league
-Starting next August

Short article but I'm sure we'll hear more developments over the next few months

CSF

BOHtox wrote: »

http://www.punditarena.com/football/tstafford/fai-seek-expression-interest-national-u17-league/

Finally a positive step forward for both Irish international and domestic football.
If it keeps players in the game longer in Ireland as they see chances for development that's going to be a good thing.

A few points.
-Taking expressions of interests from non-loi teams
-Will run parallel to the U19s league
-Starting next August

Short article but I'm sure we'll hear more developments over the next few months

The taking non-loi teams is a terrible idea from a domestic football point of view. The likes of Kevins and Home Farm will love that idea and offer nothing to domestic football and would admit as much.

Paz-CCFC

The U19 league has been one of the success stories in Irish football in recent years. Another national league can only benefit football in this country. For City, we have five former U19s in the squad and three regular starters. With the U17s, players could have as much as four years to gel before breaking into the first team squad - that's great experience and four years playing with and against the best young players in the country. It'll help with compensation for young, amateur players that go abroad (eg, Alan Browne going to Preston). An extra two years playing with a club means double the compensation award. Could be talking close to six figures for a player that hasn't even broken into the first team.

Don't see a problem with the non-LoI teams joining. We want the best teams and the best players, so if they're good enough, then that's fine. Might give an opportunity for potential LoI senior clubs to test the waters.

Gavin "shels"

Paz-CCFC wrote: »

The U19 league has been one of the success stories in Irish football in recent years. Another national league can only benefit football in this country. For City, we have five former U19s in the squad and three regular starters. With the U17s, players could have as much as four years to gel before breaking into the first team squad - that's great experience and four years playing with and against the best young players in the country. It'll help with compensation for young, amateur players that go abroad (eg, Alan Browne going to Preston). An extra two years playing with a club means double the compensation award. Could be talking close to six figures for a player that hasn't even broken into the first team.

Don't see a problem with the non-LoI teams joining. We want the best teams and the best players, so if they're good enough, then that's fine. Might give an opportunity for potential LoI senior clubs to test the waters.

Likewise at Shels, top of my head at least half our current first team is made up of last seasons U19s. 3 of them have been in England on trial, one was being trailed by Everton (Ryan Robinson), one who just signed for Ipswich (Adam McDonnell), and Dylan Connolly who's tipped for big things. Fully expect Lee Desmond to be in England very soon too.

BOHtox

Gavin shels wrote: »

Likewise at Shels, top of my head at least half our current first team is made up of last seasons U19s. 3 of them have been in England on trial, one was being trailed by Everton (Ryan Robinson), one who just signed for Ipswich (Adam McDonnell), and Dylan Connolly who's tipped for big things. Fully expect Lee Desmond to be in England very soon too.

Bohs had Dylan Connolly on their books and I've no idea why he hadn't been kept on. Perhaps looking for first team football?

Bohs have had quite a poor history with players coming through their youths. It's definitely time for a national change. The Under 17s is the best way to go definitely!

It's already been said that having players gel for years at underage levels for years will be fantastic for the senior clubs.

Mars Bar

Will it be a requirement for the LOI teams? It's always an interesting one here in Galway between GFC, Mervue and Salthill!