League about to kick off EJ’S LEADING SCORERS
Four clubs in total have left the Sligo Leitrim and District Soccer League ahead of the 2017/18 season, but Secretary Noel Kennedy says it’s still all looking positive for the league.
The departure of Boyle Celtic has been well documented, but Kilglass Enniscrone, Yeats United and Carrick Town have all also pulled out of the league.
“We have 21 clubs. Ten in the Super League and 11 in the Premier League. Three clubs have left along with Boyle Celtic, that’s Yeats United, Carrick Town and Kilglass Enniscrone. Cartron have returned”, he told The Sligo Champion.
Despite a number of teams leaving, Kennedy says things are looking good for the league.
“Yeats and Kilglass left because of a lack of support and that’s a sign of the times, a lot of it is to do with emigration and a lack of numbers. We had a positive meeting on Thursday evening.
“So we’ll have ten teams in the Super League as we agreed at last year’s AGM. It will be a very competitive league again.”
The dates have been set for both the Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup, and the league’s kick-off.
“The Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup will be on the 18th of August at The Showgrounds at 7.45pm. That will be between Ballygawley and Cadbury. All gate receipts will go to the clubs.
“The league will kick off on September 3rd so there’s a bit of a break in between.”
Kennedy hailed club delegates and the new arrivals to the Great Southern Hotel Sligo Super League, in both Arrow Harps and Ballygawley Celtic.
“The delegates were fantastic at the meeting and all these clubs just want to play football. We have Ballygawley and Arrow Harps in the Super League who will bring great support everywhere.”
The geographical spread of trophies last year was huge, with clubs such as Gurteen, Real Tubber and more winning silverware. This, Kennedy says, is a good omen for the league.
“Last year there was great dispersal of trophies, there was a huge geographical spread. It’s an indicator of the strength of the game here.”
And even though they have lost four clubs in total, he is not worried.
“Of course we’re disappointed to lose clubs but it’s about quality not quantity. We’ll be smaller by a few clubs, but that will enhance the teams as they will be stronger.“Some players from Yeats have gone to other clubs so they’re still sticking around the league. We’re aiming for good quality football not a big number of clubs.”
Boyle Celtic, who represented the league in the FAI Junior Cup quarter-finals last year, have this year decided to return to Roscommon. While their departure is disappointing, Kennedy says no club is a loss.
“Boyle weren’t happy with Roscommon in 85 and they walked away and now they’re not happy with us, I’m still not sure of the reason but they’re back with Roscommon now.
“They’re not really a loss. In the amateur game there is no loss. We can only foster and promote what we have. If a club wants to come to us from an area that has no clubs then we would embrace that.
“The majority of the players we have in the league are 17 and up, so nobody is a loss to the league.
“We’re sad to see any club go, but it’s like a marriage, if someone’s not happy then they leave.”
And even though Boyle have been one of the strongest teams in the Super League in recent years, coming runners up in 16/17 and winning in 15/16, Kennedy is still confident that the league will continue to be as competitive without them, as it was with them. “What you don’t want is a club not performing. “I think the league will be more competitive now. If you say, Manchester United and Chelsea are going for the title and Chelsea pull out of the league, someone else will come in and challenge.
“Strand will be challenging, Calry Bohs will be strong. Arrow Harps too. It’s like heavyweight boxing, there’s always a competitor somewhere.
“Boyle going is not any different to Collegians leaving in 1969, when City United went then Cadbury stepped in. There’s always a contender.
“Mathematically there has to be a contender going for the title, it’s just a question of who it is.”
With Boyle Celtic returning to Roscommon, this left a spot vacant in the Super League. St. John’s FC finished 3rd bottom and MCR finished 3rd from top in the Premier. MCR were offered a playoff against St. John’s to determine which club would play in the Super League. St. John’s fully supported this, but MCR said they would rather remain in the Premier League, therefore St. John’s retain Super League status.
The Premier will divide after the first round of games with the bottom half playing in the Cleary Landscapes and Pitch Maintenance Division One.