Mayo and Kerry grow League of Ireland interests at underage level

The League of Ireland has accepted applications from the newly-launched Mayo FC to enter the EA SPORTS LOI Academy at MU14, MU15 and WU17 level for the 2024 season.

Kerry FC will also be entering a female side for the first time at Under-17 level.

Mayo FC has been formed in the last number of months by representatives of Mayo Football League who have worked towards submitting an application to the League of Ireland for entry into these competitions.

The Mayo Schoolboys League had participated in the National Underages Leagues between 2017 and 2022 at U-14 and U-15 level and the establishment of the new club sees a return to this level as well as entry to Women's U-17 football for the first time.

The introduction of the new sides in Mayo is the beginning of a pathway to entering at senior level in the coming years.

Kerry FC are expanding their current structures to incorporate football for women and girls for the first time.

It will create a pathway for young players in the region to sit alongside the impressive work that taken place in men’s football since Kerry FC was established last year.

Both applications were approved by National Leagues Committee (NLC) earlier this month. This will mean that 22 clubs will compete at male U-14 and 23 will play at U-15 level next season while 20 Clubs are set to line-up in the female U-17 competitions.