The door has opened to a Mayo team competing in the League of Ireland in the not too distant future, and for Kerry FC to become part of the Women’s League.
The League of Ireland confirmed yesterday that the National Leagues Committee has accepted an application from the newly launched Mayo FC to enter the EA SPORTS LOI Academy at MU14, MU15 and WU17 level for the 2024 season and from Kerry FC to enter the EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU17 for the 2024 season.
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 club was formally launched last night with strong political will including Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary and Independent Councillor and one time Champion of the All Island League Mark Duffy both in attendance.
The Mayo Schoolboys League had participated in the National Underages Leagues between 2017 and 2022 at MU14 and MU15 level and the establishment of the new club sees a return to this level as well as entry to WU17 football for the first time.
Kerry FC are expanding their current structures to incorporate football for women and girls for the first time and this exciting new venture 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 MU14 and and 23 will play at MU15 level next season while 20 Clubs are set to line-up in the WU17 competitions.
These are vital pathways towards senior teams being admitted to play in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland, and are also important in creating a wider geographic footprint for the League.
