REPRESENTATIVES of the Letterkenny/North West League will meet Derry City again in the next fortnight to discuss their application to join.
Derry City have submitted a request to join the Letterkenny/North West League and the Donegal Youth League.
The matter was discussed at last night’s Donegal Schoolboys/Youth League AGM in Letterkenny.
Overall, delegates did not appear to be in favour of accepting the Brandywell club.
However, the decision will now be made by clubs in the Letterkenny/North West League following the next meeting between League officials and Derry City.
Donegal Schoolboys/Youth League Chairman PJ Cavanagh said it was his understanding that Derry City would not be adding players currently registered in the Donegal Schoolboys League and have indicated they wish to use their current squad from this age group.
Derry requested that their Under-14 be allowed to play ‘development matches’ within the Letterkenny North West Division, while they have also sought to join the Donegal Youth League.
Last week, Derry City representatives – including the club’s Head of Youth Academy, Paddy McCourt – met with members of the Donegal Schoolboys/Youth League committee in Letterkenny.
And the matter was raised last night at the AGM.
Donegal Schoolboys/Youth League Honorary Secretary Steve Coll said: “They don’t want to be in the shake-up for trophies. They are trying to get regular games for the development squad.”
Cavanagh, in response to a query from the floor, confirmed that the FAI had sanctioned the acceptance of Derry City.
He said: “We asked the question before we met with Derry City and the FAI are all for it.”
It was noted by members of the executive that an avenue of appeal would be open to Derry were clubs and the League to reject the application.
However, delegates – certainly those who spoke at last night’s meeting at least – were not in favour of the move with many reservations expressed.
As League Treasurer Dessie Kelly observed: “It doesn’t seem to be getting a positive response here.”
Finn Harps have previously participated in the Donegal Youth League and are former winners of the John ‘Gorey’ Curran Cup during Niall McGonagle’s time as manager.
Coll outlined his concerns that the matter had been made public after correspondence was circulated around clubs last week.
“It was on the desk of Finn Harps as soon as we communicated to clubs,” he said.
Coll added: “We are past a situation where we need to ask a League of Ireland club for permission. We are in partnership with no-one.”
