A new under-age season and a new competition to look forward to. The SSE Airtricity National U15 Cup kicks-off this evening at Tolka Park as Shelbourne host Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers. The National U15 League is in it's first full season and the
A new under-age season and a new competition to look forward to.
The SSE Airtricity National U15 Cup kicks-off this evening at Tolka Park as Shelbourne host Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers.
The National U15 League is in it's first full season and the National U15 Cup has now been introduced to the calendar. The first game of the competition will be at Tolka Park, which kicks-off at 7.30pm, and Shelbourne's Head of Youth Development Conor Mitchell says the team are looking forward to it.
"There is a huge amount of excitement around the team for the game, especially considering the opposition of course. It will be a tough game, that's for sure, but it's a challenge we're all really looking forward to," Mitchell said.
"They've been able to get a few players back from injury over the last few weeks but we're ready and hopefully it goes well, especially considering it is in Tolka Park.
"There is plenty of confidence in the side considering the result from the weekend. I think they've been unlucky in the games before that but players are beginning to find their feet and it's great to see."
Shelbourne go into the game on the back of an impressive 6-2 win over Monaghan-Cavan FP whilst Rovers go into the cup competition currently unbeaten and top of Group Two.
With the likes of Finn Harps, St. Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians all in Group One with Shelbourne, Mitchell has praised the standard as his players adjust to the step up in quality.
"Our group is a fantastic group. Some great teams and it is a credit to the players and coaches of each one of those teams that the standard continues to improve. You're playing the best of the best from around the country in some great venues," Mitchell commented.
"The players are really enjoying it as well. I think for some players, it is really different from playing DDSL or other schoolboy leagues. It's a real step-up and the game is played at a much-higher pace.
"The players are coming to terms with it now and I think we're beginning to see the benefits of that. Next year, when you see the Under-13s move in, I think it will push the standard across the ages even higher.
"Hopefully, we can get a bit of a crowd down to Tolka Park to support us and I'm sure the players will everything they can to get a result."
There are two matches in the competition this evening as Carlow-Kilkenny travel to Ferrycarrig Park to take on Wexford at 7.45pm.
