Dublin clubs Bohemians and St Kevin’s Boys have announced a five-year deal aimed at developing young players and jointly participating in the new Under-15 and Under-13 national leagues.
News of the agreement, which follows a number of failed attempts previously by St Kevin’s to come to an arrangement with an Airtricity League club, will come as a major relief to the FAI which had been pushing for an accommodation as it sought to avoid legal action by other schoolboy outfits, disgruntled that they had been forced into partnerships in order to gain access to the new structures.
Many of St Kevins’ rivals had been angered by the admission of the club into this year’s inaugural Under-15s league, which was won at the weekend by Athlone Town, but had delayed a challenge to the decision after commitments were provided by the FAI that the arrangement would be for one year only.
In the meantime Bohemians and St Kevin’s, who had also previously talked to St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne, renewed negotiations and, after several months of talks, the two sides have agreed terms in relation to compensation and other issues.
St Kevin's have been at the forefront of youth development in Dublin over the last few years with Burnley-based senior internationals Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady both graduates of the club. Stephen Ward played for Bohemians before signing for Wolves.
Bohemians had contemplated going it alone in the new underage structures which have dramatically altered the landscape for underage football. Traditionally the club would have signed quite a few players from nearby Belvedere Boys but that club, along with Crumlin United and Cherry Orchard, has partnered with St Patrick’s Athletic.
The precise nature of the agreements varies considerably with some schoolboy outfits retaining more control over the process than others but the hope is that the new leagues will yield greater dividends in terms of developing up and coming talent by concentrating players and resources at fewer clubs.
The shift from away from complete control by the schoolboy sides has, however, been dogged by controversy and there is still some scepticism that the Airtricity League clubs can deliver the required levels of investment.
Both clubs involved in today's deal expressed delight that the agreement had finally been reached with Ken Donohoe, St Kevin's Director of Football, suggesting that: "It will create opportunities for players from both clubs to maximise their potential in a highly professional and competitive environment."
