On the Line

Friday, 24 October 2025

Connacht LGFA Intermidiate QF (WP)

Connacht Ladies Intermediate Quarter Final

Claremorris 3-18

Drumkeerin 1-3

Eoin Horkan

St Brigids Park Drumkeerin

Claremorris produced a commanding all-round display to sweep aside Drumkeerin in their Connacht quarter-final on Sunday afternoon, a performance built on power, precision and unrelenting teamwork from start to finish.

The hosts opened brightly, winning possession straight from the throw-in and immediately turning it into a score as Ann Marie Gallagher fired them into the lead — before a Claremorris player had even touched the ball. That was as good as it got for the home side however, as Laura Kelly replied in kind to bring the sides level and spark what would become a one-sided contest.

Once they settled, the South Mayo outfit took complete control. Points from Isobel Phillips, Bree Hession and Rebecca Kean established an early cushion before the influential Nina Wallace struck the first major of the afternoon, finding herself unmarked near the goal before finishing clinically to the back of the net.

Claremorris’ confidence grew with every attack. Kelly added another neat point, while Ashleagh Salmon and Hession (from a free) kept the scoreboard ticking as their side began to pull clear. The Leitrim side's defence struggled to contain the visitors’ movement and pace, and Claremorris continued to dictate every sector of the field.

As the half entered its closing stages, Laura Kelly struck again — this time raising a green flag after a slick passing move that carved open the home rearguard. A further Hession free extended the gap to double figures, and although Gallagher offered a brief response when a long-range free dropped fortuitously into the Claremorris net, there was no halting the momentum. Late points from Wallace and Phillips ensured the visitors carried a commanding twelve-point advantage into the interval.

Claremorris almost picked up where they left off straight after the restart. Wallace looked destined to rattle the net once more before being pulled down, resulting in a yellow card for the home side's defender. Hession slotted over the resulting free to maintain her accuracy from placed balls. Gallagher, as ever Leitrim’s main threat, responded with a point, but the hosts were finding scores increasingly hard to come by.

With the wind now at their backs, Claremorris began to launch long, accurate deliveries into their forward line, where Kelly was proving unstoppable. Another Hession free, followed by a fine effort from Siomha McNulty, stretched the margin further as Claremorris kept their foot firmly on the pedal.

The visitors’ bench then added even more impetus, with several substitutes making an instant impression. Áine Lynn was among them, finishing a lovely flowing move to bag Claremorris’ third goal of the afternoon — a score that fully reflected their superiority across the park.

By now, the game was beyond the Leitrim champions reach, but Claremorris showed no signs of easing off. Hession continued to punish any indiscipline with another pointed free, before substitutes Emma Fallon and Alana Kelly chipped in with fine scores from play — the latter converting with her very first touch after coming on with a long range dead ball.

As the clock ticked down, Laura Kelly added her third point of an impressive afternoon’s work, while Alana Kelly followed up with her second in the dying moments. Gallagher, who kept battling right to the end, rounded off the scoring for Drumkeerin with a late consolation effort.

When the final whistle sounded, there was no doubting the better team. Claremorris had combined hard work with clinical finishing, their attack led brilliantly by Laura Kelly and supported by the consistent accuracy of Hession and the industry of Wallace and Phillips. Their defence, too, stood strong whenever tested.

The result sees Claremorris book their place in the Connacht semi-final, and on this evidence, few sides will relish the prospect of facing them. Confident, cohesive, and full of scoring options, the South Mayo side look like a team on a mission.

Claremorris;Claire Kean;Marina Cawley,Emma Higgins,Eilis Higgins;Aishling Cummins,Amy Cummins,Alana Fitzpatrick,Isobel Phillips(0-2),Siomha Mcnulty(0-1);Ashleagh Salmon(0-1),Bree Hession(0-6 4fs),Sienna Kelly;Nina Wallace(1-1),Laura Kelly(1-3),Rebecca Kean(0-1).

Subs Used:Aine Lynn(1-0) for Sienna Kelly,Emma Fallon(0-1) for Ashleagh Salmon,Alana Kelly(0-2 1f) for Rebecca Kean,Roisin Horkan for Bree Hession,Sile Streciwilk for Aishling Cummins

Drumkeerin:Martina Gallagher;Ellen Gallagher,Anna Hazlett,Natasha McTiernan;Lauren Wynne,Shannon O’Grady,Shyneece Gallagher;Sarah Feeney,Shona Wynne;Kayla Maguire,Ann Marie Gallagher (1-3 3fs),Ella McNamara;Rachel McPartlan,Natasha Kelly,Saoirse Wynne.

Subs Used;Sophie O’Grady for Ella McNamara,Riona Redican for Kayla Maguire,Lauraine Clark for Rachel McPartlan,Aoife McCauley for Saoirse Wynne,Keeley Harrison for Shannon O’Grady.

Referee. Gus Chapman

Claremorris

Drumkeerin.

Connacht LGFA Intermidiate QF(CT)

Connacht Ladies Intermediate Quarter Final

Claremorris 3-18

Drumkeerin 1-3

Eoin Horkan

St Brigids Park Drumkeerin

A dominant all-round performance from Claremorris paved the way for an emphatic victory in their Connacht quarter-final clash against Leitrim on Sunday afternoon.

The home side made the brighter start, winning the throw-in and moving swiftly into attack. Before a Claremorris player had even touched the ball, Ann Marie Gallagher had found the target to edge Leitrim in front. That lead, however, was short-lived. Laura Kelly responded immediately for Claremorris, and from that point on, the visitors seized complete control.

Claremorris began to settle into their rhythm, with Isobel Phillips, Bree Hession, and Rebecca Kean all adding fine points from play. As the ten-minute mark approached, Nina Wallace found herself in acres of space and made no mistake, rifling the ball into the net to give her side a firm grip on proceedings.

The Mayo side continued to dictate the tempo, with Kelly adding her second score of the day before Ashleagh Salmon opened her own account. Another Hession free stretched their advantage further as Claremorris’ forwards continued to torment the Leitrim defence.

As the half entered its closing stages, the visitors piled on the pressure. Kelly, proving a constant threat up front, raised a second green flag to cap a superb opening period for Claremorris. Another Hession free extended the gap to double figures. Leitrim briefly lifted their spirits when a Gallagher free dropped into the net from long range, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dampened as Wallace and Phillips both pointed again before the break. The whistle sounded with Claremorris firmly in command, leading by twelve.

Claremorris nearly had a third goal within moments of the restart when Wallace was hauled down in front of goal, resulting in a yellow card for the hosts. Hession made no mistake with the resulting free to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Gallagher, who was Leitrim’s main scoring outlet throughout, responded with a well-taken point, but it was proving to be a rare attack for the home side.

With the breeze now at their backs, Claremorris began to use long deliveries to devastating effect, particularly towards Kelly, who was winning every ball that came her way. Another Hession free, followed by a tidy effort from Siomha McNulty, kept the South Mayo side well in control.

Managerial changes added fresh energy for Claremorris as substitutes made an immediate impact. One of those, Áine Lynn, finished off a flowing team move with a brilliantly worked third goal, leaving no doubt about the outcome. With the tie beyond reach, Hession slotted over yet another placed ball before late points from substitutes Emma Fallon and Alana Kelly — the latter scoring with her very first touch — put the finishing touches on an excellent team display.

In the final minutes, Laura Kelly added her third of the afternoon before Alana Kelly chipped in again, sandwiching a consolation score from Gallagher, who battled gamely for Leitrim throughout.

When the final whistle sounded, Claremorris could reflect on a commanding performance built on teamwork, sharp finishing, and relentless intensity from start to finish. The victory sees them progress confidently to the semi-finals, where on current form, they will take some stopping.

Subs Used:Aine Lynn(1-0) for Sienna Kelly,Emma Fallon(0-1) for Ashleagh Salmon,Alana Kelly(0-2 1f) for Rebecca Kean,Roisin Horkan for Bree Hession,Sile Streciwilk for Aishling Cummins

Subs Used;Sophie O’Grady for Ella McNamara,Riona Redican for Kayla Maguire,Lauraine Clark for Rachel McPartlan,Aoife McCauley for Saoirse Wynne,Keeley Harrison for Shannon O’Grady.

Referee Gus Chapman

Connacht LGFA Intermidiate QF (MN)

Connacht Ladies Intermediate Quarter Final

Claremorris 3-18

Drumkeerin 1-3

Eoin Horkan

St Brigids Park Drumkeerin

A strong performance from Claremorris all over the pitch paved their way to victory in Leitrim on Sunday afternoon.

The home side won possession from the throw in and without a Claremorris hand touching the ball Ann Marie Gallagher gave her side the lead.This was short lived though as Laura Kelly leveled the tie.This was the start of the Mayo sides dominance as Isobel Phillips, Bree Hession and Rebecca Kean all added minors for their side. With the ten minute mark looming Nina Wallace found herself in space before rattling the back of the net. As the half went on the Mayo side kept control with a second effort from Kelly, it was then the turn of Ashleagh Salmon to open her account along with another Hession free.

The last ten minutes of this quarter final saw the visitors push forward and the aforementioned Kelly who was a foil in her sides attack raised a second green flag of the half, another Hession free had extended the gap even further. There was then a slight repost from the Leitrim side as a Gallagher free dropped into the net from range. This was nearly cancelled out by the break as Wallace and Phillips added to their tallies, leaving twelve between the sides when the whistle blew.

The south Mayo side were nearly in for a third goal moments after the restart but Wallace was dragged down which led to a yellow card Hession added the extras with the free. The home side's scores were all coming from Gallagher as she put over a second point for her side.

Playing with the wind the blue and whites started using long balls into Kelly who was winning anything that came near her, A Hession free along with another point from Siomha McNulty had them well in the driving seat. The bench started to come on for the visitors and one of these Aine Lynn broke through for a well worked third goal. With the tie well and truly out of reach another Hession place ball flew over before subs Emma Fallon and Alana Kelly split the posts, the latter coming on and taking a free with her first touch of the game.

With the game in the final five minutes two more efforts from the Kelly's first Laura then Alana inside a final effort from Gallagher ended the scoring in this quarter final.

Subs Used:Aine Lynn(1-0) for Sienna Kelly,Emma Fallon(0-1) for Ashleagh Salmon,Alana Kelly(0-2 1f) for Rebecca Kean,Roisin Horkan for Bree Hession,Sile Streciwilk for Aishling Cummins

Subs Used;Sophie O’Grady for Ella McNamara,Riona Redican for Kayla Maguire,Lauraine Clark for Rachel McPartlan,Aoife McCauley for Saoirse Wynne,Keeley Harrison for Shannon O’Grady.

Referee Gus Chapman

Claremorris

Drumkeerin.

Connacht LGFA Junior Semi Final (WP)

Northern Harps 4-14

Swinford/ Killasser 5-10

Eoin Horkan

Elphin

A late, nerveless free from Lauren Shannagher sealed a dramatic semi-final victory on Saturday afternoon, as the Harps edged out Swinford in a pulsating contest that will live long in the memory.

In a game that swung one way and then the other, it was Shannagher’s composure in the dying moments that ultimately separated two fiercely committed sides after an hour of high-quality, end-to-end football.

The home side were first out of the traps, with Shauna McGrath pointing inside the opening minute. Swinford’s Amy Dunleavy hit back almost immediately, but the Harps soon took control with a devastating spell in front of goal. Ciara Cunningham and Shannagher both found the net inside three minutes to put their side firmly in command.

Leah Casey and McGrath added further scores to extend the lead before the quarter-hour mark, and the home crowd were in full voice. But Swinford responded superbly, with Sarah Rowley leading the fightback — clipping over a neat point before finishing calmly to the net to drag her team back into contention.

The closing stages of the half were breathless. Cunningham, Shannagher, and Casey all raised white flags, only for Caitlin Henry to keep Swinford in touch with a goal and a point. McGrath struck twice more late in the half and Cunningham added another, seemingly putting the Harps in a strong position heading for the break. But the final act of the opening period belonged to Swinford, as Melissa Dunleavy coolly converted a penalty to leave just three points between the teams at half-time.

Swinford came out flying after the restart. Ella Gallagher pointed within seconds before Roscommon native Regina Mullaney struck 1–2 to turn the game completely on its head and give the visitors the lead for the first time.

McGrath again led the Harps’ response, splitting the posts to narrow the deficit, and midway through the half, points from Shannagher and Casey had the sides deadlocked once more.

Despite playing against the breeze, both sides continued to attack with pace and purpose. Rhona Brennan’s driving runs from deep caused huge problems for the Swinford defence, and it was fitting that one of those runs ended with a superb goal to reignite the home challenge.

However, Swinford showed their resilience once again. Dunleavy and Mullaney struck a pair of fine points to edge the Mayo side ahead with ten minutes to play, and when Henry added another, they looked set for victory.

But the Harps refused to yield. Cunningham raised her second green flag of the day to cut the margin back to one, though Mullaney — outstanding throughout for the visitors — pushed Swinford two clear with two crucial points in the closing minutes.

When Henry added what looked to be the insurance score, Swinford appeared to have one foot in the final. Yet this extraordinary semi-final had one last twist. Substitute Grace Cullen struck for the Harps’ fourth goal of the game to set up a frantic finish, before Shannagher — who had been immense all afternoon — levelled matters from play.

Then, deep into injury time, the forward held her nerve to convert a free from distance, sparking jubilant scenes among the home supporters as the referee sounded the final whistle.

It was a finish befitting a classic contest, with both sides leaving everything on the field. For the Harps, Shannagher’s late strike ensured their place in the decider, while Swinford were left to reflect on what might have been after a valiant effort.

Northern Harps;Anna Carty;Sarah Gunn,Rachel Gormley,Kellie Hunt;Sinead Keavney,Anna McGrath,Grace Finnerty;Shauna McGrath(0-5 1f),Leah Casey(0-3);Louise Enright, Lauren Shannagher(1-4),Orlaith Callaghan;Hannah Gunn, Ciara Cunningham(2-2),Freya Finnerty.

Subs Used:Rachel Bolger for Kellie Hunt, Aoibhinn Gilligan for Hannah Gunn, Grace Cullen(1-0) for Freya Finnerty.

Swinford/Killasser:Aoife Groake;Amy Dunleavy(0-1),Orla Mullaney,Laura McLoughlin;Emily Rowley,Aisling Hyland, Melissa Devaney(1-1 pen);Ella Gallagher(0-1),Anna Tierney;Niamh Casey,Caitlin Henry(1-2 1f),Rhona Brennan(1-0);Sarah Rowley(1-1),Hazel Lavin,Regina Mullaney(1-4).

Subs Used:Claudine Brennan for Hazel Lavin,Caoimhe Dunne for Sarah Rowley.

Referee :Colm Conway.

Connacht LGFA Junior Semi Final (CT)

Northern Harps 4-14

Swinford/ Killasser 5-10

Eoin Horkan

Elphin

A last-minute free from Lauren Shannagher proved the decisive moment in a pulsating semi-final on Saturday afternoon, as the home side edged a classic encounter that had everything — goals, drama, and heart-stopping finishes.

From the opening whistle, the hosts made their intentions clear. Shauna McGrath stormed forward to register the game’s first point, only for Amy Dunleavy to reply almost instantly for the visitors with a fine effort from play. After the home side spurned two early goal chances, the home side soon made a devastating burst. Ciara Cunningham and Lauren Shannagher both found the back of the net inside three minutes to give their side a firm foothold.

The purple patch continued as Leah Casey and McGrath stretched the advantage before the quarter-hour mark. Just when Swinford looked to be on the ropes, Sarah Rowley dragged them back into contention — first with a tidy point, and moments later with a composed finish to the far corner of the net.

The closing ten minutes of the half were end-to-end, with both sides trading scores in a breathless spell. Cunningham, Shannagher, and Casey all raised white flags, only for Caitlin Henry to respond with a goal and a point to keep her team within touching distance. In the final stages before the break, McGrath hit a brace and Cunningham added another, seemingly sending the home side into half-time in control. But the visitors had other ideas — a late penalty, confidently converted by Melissa Dunleavy, cut the deficit to just three at the interval.

The second half began with a dream start for Swinford. Ella Gallagher struck the opening point, before Roscommon native Regina Mullaney turned the game on its head with a goal and two points to put her side in front for the first time.

At the opposite end, McGrath continued to torment the defence, splitting the posts again to narrow the gap to two. By the midway point of the half, the contest was level once more, thanks to superb efforts from Shannagher and Casey.

Playing into the wind seemed to suit both sides as the tempo only increased. Rhona Brennan was electric throughout, her surging runs wreaking havoc in the Harps’ backline. One of those charges led to a stunning goal that reignited the visiting support. Dunleavy and Mullaney added further points, and with ten minutes to play, the Mayo outfit appeared to be pulling clear.

However, the hosts refused to yield. Cunningham once again stepped up, raising her second green flag of the day to bring the margin back to the minimum. The experienced Mullaney responded with two crucial points for the red and black, and when Henry added another late score, it looked as though Swinford had done enough to see it out.

But in keeping with the tone of this titanic battle, there was one final twist. Substitute Grace Cullen struck for the home side’s fourth goal of the game to narrow the gap to one , sending the crowd into raptures. Moments later, Shannagher, who had been outstanding throughout, levelled from play before holding her nerve to split the posts from a free with the final kick of the game.

As the ball sailed between the uprights, the final whistle sounded — sparking scenes of jubilation from the home support after a gripping contest that will live long in the memory.

Subs Used:Rachel Bolger for Kellie Hunt, Aoibhinn Gilligan for Hannah Gunn, Grace Cullen(1-0) for Freya Finnerty.

Subs Used:Claudine Brennan for Hazel Lavin,Caoimhe Dunne for Sarah Rowley.

Referee :Colm Conway.

Connacht LGFA Junior Semi Final (MN)

Northern Harps 4-14

Swinford/ Killasser 5-10

Eoin Horkan

Elphin

A last minute free from Lauren Shannagher was the difference in this titanic semi final on Saturday afternoon.

From the opening whistle the home side broke forward and took the lead through Shauna McGrath. The tie was level a minute later when Amy Dunleavy drove forward and slotted over. After two goal chances for the victors it was the Gaels that then bagged two inside three minutes as Ciara Cunningham and Lauren Shannager rattled the back of the net. The purple patch continued as Leah Casey and McGrath extended the lead inside the quarter hour mark. The next few minutes belonged to Sarah Rowley as she raised a white flag before finding the far corner of the net minutes later.The last ten minutes of this tie was a score fest as three more minors from Cunningham, Shannager and Casey were canceled out by a goal and point from Caitlin Henry. In the final five minutes the home side piled forward against the breeze and a double from McGrath and a follow up from Cunningham looked to have sent them to have time in a comfortable position . The Mayo side had other ideas winning a penalty which was duly converted by Melissa Dunleavy leaving a goal in it at the break.

The second half produced the start of dreams of Swinford Ella Gallagher fired over before a goal and two points from Roscommon native Regina Mullaney to give her side the lead. Down the far end McGrath was causing havoc splitting the posts again leaving two in the score with eight gone in the half. The tie was level by the midway mark of the half with Shannagher and Casey firing over for the home side.

Playing against the wind was suiting both sides especially Rhona Brennan as her runs were causing the Harps serious trouble.One of these resulted in a fine goal before Dunleavy and Mullaney extended the lead with ten left. Just as it looked like the game had swung back in the east Mayo side's favour,up stepped Cunningham again to raise her second green flag of the game. The final two scores of the game from the side in red and black were from the boot of veteran Mullaney before Henry finished the scoring as it looked like they had done enough . This was until substitute Grace Cullen netted her sides fourth goal of the game before sharpshooter Shannagher levelled from play before splitting the posts with a dead ball on the final whistle leaving the home crowd delirious.

Subs Used:Rachel Bolger for Kellie Hunt, Aoibhinn Gilligan for Hannah Gunn, Grace Cullen(1-0) for Freya Finnerty.

Subs Used:Claudine Brennan for Hazel Lavin,Caoimhe Dunne for Sarah Rowley.

Referee :Colm Conway.

Northern Harps

Swinford/Killasser

Referee

U19 A Éire Óg vs Tomnafinogue

Éire Óg 1-9

Tomnafinogue 0-15

A couple of last minute scores from Eddie Cullen proved pivotal after a late surge from Éire Óg had brought the game level with seven minutes to go .

There was a good start for Tomnafinogue as Eddie Cullen opened his tally with two early scores against the wind. Just before the ten minute mark the game was level as Darragh Shanahan and Oisin Murphy slotted efforts over as they started to get hold of possession.Both sides were finding it difficult to manage the swirling wing in Greystones. Just after the quarter hour mark Murphy doubled his tally with a dead ball before Cullen levelled the tie with eight minutes to go on the clock. It was the south Wicklow side that went in a point up at the break after Conor Byrne and Cullen raised white flags inside an effort from wing back Rob Moore.

Once the game restarted and with the aid of that sea breeze Tomnafinogue settled and Cullen had doubled the scores with a single free before he raised his first orange flag of the tie. Just after the ten minute mark of the second half Milor Quinn found himself at the end of a move to extend the gap before Cullen added yet another minor to his growing tally.

Just as it looked like the game was going away from the home side they had other ideas as they started to win the midfield battle. This led to a fine score off the boot of Cillian Brady. The next six minutes belonged to Murphy as he stood up to slot a penalty into the corner before firing over a dead ball. With one point in the game and less than ten on the clock a Conor Doran Bowes effort had the gap out to two. With eight left on the clock a Murphy double had the tie level

The final few minutes was a shootout between Cullen and Murphy. It was the Tinahealy man who came out on top with two frees before adding another orange flag right at the end.The final score came from the home side as they piled forward but all Murphy could do was fire over the bar leaving a goal between the sides at the full time whistle.

Éire Óg:Ben Morgan;Louis Atkins,Paddy Marrinan,Donagh Mellett;Rob Moore(0-1),Sean McLaughlin,Cillian Brady(0-1);Oisin Murphy(1-6 3fs),Daniel Burns;Conor O'Sullivan,Darragh Shanahan(0-1),Jamie Coyle;Conor Keogh;Daniel Connerty,Conor McLaughlin.

Subs Used:Ruairí Shaw for Daniel Burns, Piaras Healy for Conor McLaughlin, Tom Meyler for Conor Keogh.

Tomnafinogue:Cathal Fitzsimons;Killian O’Keefe,Myron Davidson;Patrick O’Byrne;Cormac Murphy,Lee Dagge,Jasper Kelly;Barry Kealey,Milo Quinn(0-1);Joe Carroll, Eddie Cullen(0-12 6fs 2 2 pfs),Thomas Kelly;Donal Rawson,Conor Byrne(0-1),Conor Doran Bowes(0-1).

Subs Used:Tiernan O’Byrne for Jasper Kelly,Dean Carthy for Killian O’Keefe,Rioghan O’Callaghan for Myron Davidson, Byron Tallon for Donal Rawson.

Referee Anthony Nolan

WDSL Week 5 Roundup

WDSL Girls 2014 League Continues to Grow in Strength

The WDSL Girls 2014 League continues to go from strength to strength, with new teams forming and more clubs expressing interest in joining — a fantastic sign of growth for girls’ football in the county.

This week saw two exciting debuts as Roundwood AFC and Newtown Juniors lined out for the first time, facing Aughrim Rangers and Ashford Rovers, respectively.

Roundwood’s young side showed plenty of promise despite early nerves. Once they settled into the game, their confidence began to shine through. While Aughrim took the spoils on the day with a 4–0 victory, the focus for Roundwood was all about gaining valuable experience — and the girls were already eager to know when their next match would be.

Over in Newtown, there was late drama as Newtown Juniors marked their debut with a memorable 1–0 win over Ashford Rovers. The decisive moment came right at the death, when a defensive mix-up allowed Newtown to snatch the winner in injury time. Despite the narrow defeat, Ashford showed clear improvement from their opening game.

Meanwhile, Arklow United maintained their strong start to the campaign with a solid 2–0 victory over a talented Newcastle United side. Building on their earlier win against Ashford, Arklow once again impressed with their composure and teamwork.

With participation and competition levels rising each week, the future looks bright for girls’ football in Wicklow.

WDSL Emerging Talent Programme Gears Up for Interleague Challenge

As preparations intensify for the upcoming SFAI Interleague competitions, the Wicklow & District Schoolboys/Girls League (WDSL) held a comprehensive Coaching Forum as part of its League Emerging Talent Programme (LETP).

The event, which catered to all age groups involved in the LETP, was divided into two key sessions — a practical demonstration of football drills and an informative PowerPoint presentation outlining the league’s developmental approach. It proved to be a valuable and inspiring evening for all coaches and mentors in attendance.

Behind the scenes, Brian Kavanagh and Peter Porter have been instrumental in driving the LETP forward. Their dedication and quiet professionalism have not gone unnoticed, and their continued work — alongside the tireless administrative efforts of Brenda — has been central to the programme’s success.

The results speak for themselves. While other leagues across the country struggle with participation numbers, the WDSL will proudly field two teams each in the U12, U13, and U14 categories, and one team at U15 and U16 level. That’s a remarkable turnaround, considering there were no U15 or U16 squads just a year ago.

This growth is a testament to the hard work, structure, and planning put in by coaches, players, and league officials alike.

The WDSL also continues to strengthen its partnerships with League of Ireland clubs Bray Wanderers and Wexford FC, offering a clear pathway for talented young players to progress into academy football. A shining example of this is Drew Mernagh, who caught the eye at last year’s Kennedy Cup, where he won the Golden Boot before being signed by Bray Wanderers. His journey is proof of what the LETP can achieve — providing a vital platform for players to be seen and succeed.

With strong leadership and a thriving player base, the future of football development in Wicklow looks brighter than ever.

Fixtures for this weekend

We also have for the first time ever had an all-girls team management for the U16s, more will be reported on this in future articles.

This weekend Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th Travers Insurance Park, will see the first of the,

Group Games commence within SFAI Interleague Competition,

Home in SFAI Interleague Under 16s v Wexford – Saturday 4pm Kick-off

Home in SFAI Interleague Under 14s Blue v MSL Blue – Sunday 3pm Kick-off

Home in SFAI Interleague Under 14s Yellow v MSL Red – Sunday 1:30pm Kick-off

Finally the Trophy finals are this weekend , plenty of action.

Trophy Finals – Travers Insurance Park 25th / 26th Oct,

U12s Div 2

Ashford B v Rathnew B Sat, 10:00am Pitch 2

U12s Div 1

Ashford v Shillelagh Sat, 12:00pm Pitch 2

U12s Prem

Wicklow Rovers A v St Anthonys A Sat, 2:00pm Pitch 2

U14s Div 1

Arklow Utd B v Rathnew B Sat, 10:00am Astro

U14s Prem

Aughrim v Wicklow Rovers A Sat, 12:00pm Astro

U16s Prem

Glencormac v Aughrim Sat, 2:00pm Astro

U13s Div 2

Arklow Utd C v Newtown B Sun, 10:00am Astro

U13s Div 1

Shillelagh v Avonmore Sun, 12:00pm Astro

U15s Div 1

Roundwood v Arklow Utd B Sun, 4:00pm Astro

U15s Prem

Arklow Utd A v Rathnew Sun, 6:00pm Astro