Once teammates, now foes. Mayo Schoolboy League welcome Sligo Rovers to Castlebar in the SSE Airtricity U15 National League where old teammates will be pitted against each other. Mayo Schoolboy League have enjoyed a positive start to life in the S
Once teammates, now foes.
Mayo Schoolboy League welcome Sligo Rovers to Castlebar in the SSE Airtricity U15 National League where old teammates will be pitted against each other.
Mayo Schoolboy League have enjoyed a positive start to life in the SSE Airtricity U15 National League having recorded an impressive 4-0 victory on the opening day against Monaghan-Cavan FP and suffered a narrow 2-0 defeat to Derry City.
Sligo Rovers, who've won their opening two fixtures, travel to Mayo on Saturday with a team which will contain nine former Mayo Schoolboy players which will definitely add more spice to the occasion.
Mayo manager Brendan Kenny admits the side are 'buzzing' for the game and believes the team have recovered brilliantly from losing nine players before the start of the season.
Kenny said: "There is a bit of a buzz about the place. The players are really looking forward to it, obviously there is no pressure on us but a lot of mates will be playing against each other.
"The banter has been good between the two sides all week, I'm sure they'll be winding each other up and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
"What happened was before it was announced that the Mayo Schoolboy League would be in the national league, a lot of players went down to Sligo for the trials. By the time it was announced that we were in the league, the players had already signed for Sligo.
"There is a real plus though as it's given other lads a chance and they've definitely taken it so far. There's been no pressure on the players but to beat Monaghan on the opening day was great, we weren't expecting that. We played a strong Derry side and more than matched them for large parts of the game."
Mayo Schoolboy League are one of four non-SSE Airtricity League teams accepted into the U15 National League alongside Kerry Schoolboy League, Monaghan-Cavan FP and St. Kevin's Boys.
The country has plenty of representation within the SSE Airtricity League with the likes of Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann, Shamrock Rovers midfielder Ryan Connolly, Galway United midfielder David Cawley and former Pats goalkeeper Conor O'Malley hailing from the county.
Kenny admitted they had to quickly 'turn it around' when they were accepted into the league but believes it is a great move to see Mayo represented in the under-age national league structure.
He added: "It was difficult because we had only a short amount of time so we had to turn it around. We had a couple of trial days and then got the players in but you're having to make the decisions fairly quick.
"We got a friendly against Galway which we only lost 1-0 and then we played a local team which we won fairly convincingly so it wasn't the ideal preparations. But I think it has helped us in a way as we've put no pressure on the players and they've really enjoyed that, and I think it has helped them play better.
"I think the fact we're in the league is brilliant for the game. There is definitely talent in Mayo and the current players in the league, the likes of Ryan Connolly and John Mountney, show that.
"It's great that the players are getting exposure to the national level earlier as that will only help them in their development and especially seeing that it is a locally-based team. We're looking to produce more players to go on and have careers, and hopefully, at the end of the day produce an international player."
