Donegal Underage League checks out lands for a new base

The newly titled Donegal Underage League is actively seeking land to use as a new base.

Council-owned lands are being explored by League members, Monday's annual general meeting heard.

Monday's annual general meeting saw the Donegal Schoolboys League restyled as the Donegal Underage League.

The League is in a healthy financial state with over €100,000 in its coffers.

As the League continues to grow rapidly, possible locations have been identified.

Representatives of the League are looking at lands at the Big Isle and also in the Bonagee area of Letterkenny.

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In 2022, 34 clubs were affiliated with 3,555 registered players.

The name change to the League comes as a merger with the Donegal Women's League draws closer.

General Secretary Steve Coll told Monday's meeting at the Station House Hotel in Letterkenny that meetings between the bodies 'are going well'.

Initially, it had been hoped that the merger could have been formalised on Monday.

“There has been enough to suggest putting it on the long finger to make sure that we get it all right,” he said.

The outgoing fixtures secretary, Kieran McGrath, said in his report to the meeting: “One wonders have we outgrown ourselves in the number of teams we have at age groups particularly in Letterkenny/NW with time slots, refs availability, facilities possibly causing a problem down the line, particularly when we come to amalgamating with the girls, whenever that may be.”

Two motions proposing a merger between the South Donegal and East Donegal Leagues were withdrawn but representatives will discuss matters and a motion could be brought back to an EGM in due course.

Football Development Officer Denis McDaid said there were a number of teams who are 'very, very strong' and there are difficulties wen they face weaker teams.

Mr McGrath noted in his annual report: “I do believe that the time is right for an all-county league, particularly in A Football where the better players can be playing against each other week-in, week-out without this constant focus from some clubs for the whole season, which is centred on a Champions League in September/October time.”

He said travel should not be problematic, adding: “I believe as they are well able to do it in other sports.”

The 12 outgoing executive members were all returned to their posts with further discussions to take place regarding the role of fixtures secretary.

Donegal Underage League

Chairperson – PJ Cavanagh; Vice Chairperson – Jon Livesly; General Secretary – Steve Coll; Assistant Secretary – Kieran McGrath; Treasurer – Dessie Kelly; Assistant Treasurer – Pat McGee; Fixtures/Referees – tbc; Liaison Board Secretary – Brendan Barron; Registration/Roster Manager – PJ Cavanagh; Disciplinary Secretary – Tony McNamee; Football Development Officer – Denis McDaid; SFAI Representative – Charlie Shiels; PRO – Jon Livesly; Children's Officer – PJ Cavanagh; Executive Members – Gerry Gallagher, Geoffrey McGonagle, Mo Deasley, Nikki Galvin.