NDSL Academy News

The SFAI Inter League Cup competitions first series of games kicked off last weekend. The NDSL opened their campaign with the Euro Tab Under 14 cup game at home to the NECSL. This was the NDSL squad’s first official competitive outing since their Kennedy Cup Final appearance. The game was played in deplorable weather conditions with constant rain and wind. The conditions were not conducive to good football but despite all the elements the North Dublin boys produced a solid five goals to nil performance. They have no cup game in December. Their next outing is away to Kilkenny in early January.

The following morning brought bright sunshine and the go ahead to play two games on the excellent grass pitch in the Oscar Traynor Coaching & Development Centre. The pitch despite all the rain during the previous evening and night was in perfect condition and a credit to Mark Connor and his staff. The Under 12s opened their Cashin Cup programme up with a very close encounter against a strong Wexford team. The visitors took the lead just on half time. The home team was then caught on the counter attack as they chased the game to give the Wexford boys a two goal lead. The North Dublin boys then pulled one back to create a frantic finish but to no avail as the three points went to the sunny south east. The NDSL 12s now face two derby games, away in December against South Dublin and at home in January against the DDSL.

The Under 15 Farrell Cup brought together the NDSL who hosted Wicklow. While the home team had the majority of the play it looked like that the garden county would take a point until a goal ten minutes from time clinched the three points for the NDSL. The North Dublin boys travel in December to Dundalk and again on the road in January to Wexford.

The Under 16 O’Neill Cup NDSL campaign opened with an away tie in Navan against the NECSL. The home side put up a spirited performance before falling to two late goals. The North Dublin squad entertains a fancied Midlands team in December before hitting the road again with an away tie in Kilkenny in early January.