ETP becomes feeder club for the Drogs

DROGHEDA United and the Drogheda Childrens Soccer League (DCSL) have reached an agreement that will see the League’s Emerging Talent Programme become the feeder club for the Premier Division club.

The official launch of the initiative - which was signed off on February 1st - will take place at this Friday’s home match against St Patrick’s Athletic, and ahead of the game a Drogheda United spokesman said: ‘Drogheda United is delighted and proud to to be associated with the DCSL.

‘We are looking forward to working closely with the DCSL to develop and maintain links between the two bodies in order to provide a smooth transition from schoolboy soccer into senior soccer for talented young players.

‘Drogheda United intends that its youth development programme will make the club the focus of excellence at underage level in the region. Its aim is to help produce the future generation of senior soccer players who will play at the highest level.’

The Emerging Talent Programme, in association with the FAI, provides additional coaching and support for the DCSL’s elite players, and this week’s launch comes ahead of the start of the National Under-17 and Under-19 Leagues, with a new National Under-15 League due to kick off in August.

In the Under-19 competition, Drogheda will begin their season with a home game against Bohemians on Sunday March 12th, and the following Sunday they entertain Longford Town in their opening Under-17 fixture. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 2pm.