Major focus on the local talent

SPEAKING to the Drogheda Independent at the weekend, Drogheda United’s head of youth football Morgan Hughes said his mantra for the club’s underage structure is ‘local, local, local’ and he is happy with how that approach is progressing.

He was determined that the Under-13s this season begin that process in their National League campaign and with a good sprinkling of locals on the 15s and 17s squad also, he feels the road is clear for the future of the club.

The Under-13s have enjoyed a tough and competitive start to their careers in the Drogheda colours but can take great satisfaction from their most recent outing against Cabinteely. They managed a 2-2 draw, with a number of their local players starring.

The likes of Sean Manning (ex Drogheda Boys), keeper Daniel Molloy (Drogheda Boys), Aaron King (Drogheda Boys), Adam O’Malley-Devlin (Drogheda Town), Donnacha Skinneder (Walshestown), ex EMU man Shane Reilly, Shaun Wynne (Drogheda Boys), Ted O’Connor (Drogheda Boys), Andrew Olajide (Drogheda Boys), Callum Clarke (Drogheda Town) and Aaron Bizzell (ex Ratoath Harps) are some of those who have been making their mark this season.

The Under-15 squad have also been progressing well, and that group boasts its fair share of locals too, including a huge prospect in former Ardee Celtic goalkeeper Andrew Wogan.

Altay Guneyer (Slane Wanderers), Dylan O’Boyle (Duleek), Evan Haddock (Duleek), Patrick O’Connell (Drogheda Town), Sean O’Halloran (Albion Rovers), Tadhg Dunne (Drogheda Town) and Ultan McLoughlin (Drogheda Town) have all been part of the set-up.

Their positive link-up with the local soccer world suggests a lot more young talent will be making their way up the Windmill Road in the nottoo-distant future.