U19 League gets underway this weekend



Bohemians Under 19s go into the new SSE Airtricity National Under 19 League season as champions and Head Coach Graham Lawlor has admitted his players will have to learn to deal with that added pressure.

The Dublin club enjoyed a fantastic season at U17 & U19 level last year as both teams reached their respective finals. The U19s lifted the league title after a narrow 1-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic at Dalymount Park in November thanks to Steven Nolan’s close-range finish.

The U19s will kick off their season with a trip to Gortakeegan to face Monaghan-Cavan FP and despite winning the league title last season, Lawlor’s focus continues to be on first-team football for his players.

“I suppose there is an added pressure going into the season as champions but I won’t be putting any of that on the players as it’s a new group. Out of last year’s group, we’ve retained several players with six coming up from the Under 17s so we’ll actually be a little bit younger this season,” said Lawlor.

“We’ve attracted new players on the back of our success last year which is great but the ultimate aim isn’t to win trophies or leagues, it’s to get players ready for Keith Long’s first-team. It’s good to win of course but we don’t define ourselves by that. That is what success is for us, players coming through our ranks and getting international recognition, or playing in the first-team for Bohs.”

One player who made that step-up from U19 level last season was Warren O’Hora. The Republic of Ireland U19 international moved to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in January and Lawlor praised his rapid development.

“Nothing seemed to phase Warren. Whether he was making the step up to the 19s or the first-team, he seemed to take it in his stride and respond positively to a new challenge,” Lawlor added.

“For us, in the U19s, we just continued what he had done with the 17s and at schoolboy level. He captained the underages teams and went into the first-team, and it’s great to see what he has achieved. He’ll obviously take a bit of time to adjust in England but I’ve no doubt once he does that, he’ll make a career for himself.”

Bohemians face a tough start to the U19 season with a trip to Monaghan first before games against Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne. Having added to the squad during the off-season, and with Ireland U17 international Luke Nolan stepping up from the U17s, the side are ready for the 2018 season.

“We’ve trained right and we’re focused. Every game is different because every club has different styles of play but that is the challenge in the league. That is part of the learning for the players,” he admitted.

“You’re always wary going into every game. Obviously, being the champions, we’re the team everybody will want to beat this season. For the opposition, it’s an added motivation so the message to our players is that you can’t take anyone lightly.”

 

Fixtures

Saturday, March 17

SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Southern Elite Division
Cork City v Bray Wanderers, Bishopstown Stadium, 2pm
Limerick v Shamrock Rovers, Hogan Park, 2pm

SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Northern Elite Division
Bohemians v Monaghan-Cavan FP, St Aidan’s CBS, 1pm
Derry City v Athlone Town, Brandywell Stadium, 2pm

 

Sunday, March 18

SSE Airtricity League Under-19 Northern Elite Division
Athlone Town v Derry City, Athlone Town Stadium, 2pm
Drogheda United v Athlone Town, United Park, 2pm
Monaghan-Cavan FP v Bohemians, Gortakeegan, 2pm
Shelbourne v Dundalk, AUL Complex, 2pm
Sligo Rovers v St. Patrick’s Athletic, The Showgrounds, 2pm

SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Southern Elite Division
UCD v Galway United, The UCD Bowl, 2pm
Cabinteely v Kerry FC, Kilternan, 2pm
Wexford v Cobh Ramblers, Gorey Rangers, 2pm

SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Northern Elite Division
Dundalk v Shelbourne, Oriel Park, 2pm
St Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers, IT Blanchardstown, 2pm
Longford Town v Drogheda United, City Calling Stadium, 2pm



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