The Dublin and District Schoolboys’/girls’ League (DDSL) has been categorized as not eligible for participation in the 2024 Kennedy and Gaynor cups due to a prevailing contention with the scholastic division of the FAI. The under-14 girls’ and boys’ teams that were previously assembled from a pool of 5,000 children had intended to show off their skills in the upcoming tournaments, doing so around June.
Barry Ferguson, the man in charge of DDSL’s football operations, relayed the disheartening news to the young teams that they will not be appearing in the highly anticipated contests set to take place at the Limerick University next month. An anonymous parent expressed his frustration at the situation, remarking on the disorderly handling of the issue and the heightening risk of girls abandoning sports due to the conflict coinciding with their Junior Cert studies.
The tension between the Schoolboys’/girls’ Football Association of Ireland (SFAI) and the DDSL came to the limelight in the same week that FAI partner Cadbury inaugurated a program led by Irish representatives Abbie Larkin and Jamie Finn, aiming to keep female enthusiasts committed to the sport. A parent, voicing her concerns, stated her indifference towards her daughter’s participation in either the Gaynor Cup or the DDSL squad, emphasizing her plea for a fair treatment from the men, who are at the core of this administrative disagreement.
The DDSL is hurriedly trying to clear up the unfolding circumstances, and a meeting has been scheduled by the FAI for Thursday to seek resolution plans for the conflict between the SFAI and DDSL. The DDSL is the largest minor’s league in the nation, featuring 49,000 plus players. An FAI representative stated their awareness of the DDSL controversy regarding the Gaynor Cup and assured ongoing collaborative efforts with both the DDSL and SFAI, the coordinators of the tournament, to seek a solution.
The truth of the matter is, many girls were left astounded, devastated and terribly disappointed on Monday evening, their expectations shattered. Some of the country’s strongest players won’t be participating in one of the most significant tournaments of the year, losing a crucial opportunity.
As a parent who had to comfort our daughter who devoted countless hours of her energy, drive and time to be chosen for this, I am extremely let down. No youngster should lose the opportunity to participate in the Gaynor cup for administrative reasons, especially after being informed they would partake.
The SFAI has yet to comment about the situation. The DDSL sent a letter to SFAI on Wednesday morning, stating their actions lacked legitimate reasoning and are a form of discrimination that exceeds their authority.
The SFAI receives a six-figure amount of government funding, through the association, to organise the Gaynor and Kennedy cups. All teams, including DDSL, who were later rejected, coughed up an entry fee of €2,500.
DDSL has been running competitive training sessions every Monday for girls and Wednesday for boys since October, with the young athletes being told in March they would take part in the national contests.
A parent mentioned, “Despite the inhospitable weather conditions and the long journeys for some families, this announcement made it all worth it.” The girls thought Barry Ferguson, the FAI development officer, was joking when he informed them on Monday following their presumed final trial.
The girls had given their all in training since October and parents feel they have been made scapegoats, especially considering last year’s incident between Metro Girls’ League and DDSL.
In September, 66 girls’ teams attempted to transfer from the Metropolitan Girls’ League (MGL) to the DDSL due to disagreements concerning lack of representation in the North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League (NDSL). All 20 MGL academy coaches dramatically resigned in protest of the dubious decisions made by the NDSL/MGL board of directors consisting of three members.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) strategic plan for 2022-25 emphasises expanding opportunities for women and girls in football. However, since Eileen Gleeson was appointed as the acting manager of Ireland in September 2023, the role of Head of Girls’ and Women’s football has been unclaimed. The position will be assumed by Hannah Dingley, an academy coach of English descent, on May 20th.
Gleeson voiced that the goal is to provide all girls with an opportunity to play and participate in a suitable games programme. Efforts are being made to achieve this aim amid struggles of intertwining with autonomous organisations including leagues with unique rules and guidelines. The challenge remains to protect the girls’ football participation from potential internal disputes.
Adding to the discussion, Marc Canham, FAI’s Director of Football, pointed out the organisation’s awareness and clear vision concerning player pathway plans. This includes promoting positive participation experiences at both children and adult stages of football.