Academy
- Friday February 24th, 2023 @ 15:13
Saints Academy Ready For New Season
The Saints Academy is well renowned is being one of the best in the country, and there is no denying that we have seen some great talents come through in the past few seasons.
Josh Keeley, Darragh Burns, James Abankwah have all moved from the St Pat's Academy to the UK and Europe last season, with former Academy man Luke McNally moving for our first team to England too, having progressed through the youth ranks here, he is now with Coventry City in the Championship, on loan from leaders Burnley.
A number of other ex Saints Academy players are plying their trade abroad.
Ben McCormack, Sam Curtis and Adam Murphy are some of the current first team squad members that come to mind, breaking into the senior team after starring in the Academy, 15-year-old Mason Melia became the club's youngest ever senior player and senior scored in the Leinster Senior Cup earlier this year.
On the trophy front, the St Pat's Under 19s team had a year to remember in 2022, they won the U19 EA Sports League of Ireland title and just missed out on a double, losing the cup final to Bohemians.
Over 30 St Patrick's Athletic Academy players played international football last year.
"We're hoping 2023 will be another great year for our Academy, both on and off the pitch" said Academy Manager Ger O'Brien, speaking to Jonathan Connolly in last weeks 'The Saint'
The new EA Sport LOI Academy seasons get underway this weekend.
"We'll have an underage women's team in the League of Ireland for the first time, managed by Darragh O'Reilly, Dave Bissett and Izzy Connolly, they will be looking to have a positive first season and we have been very happy to welcome them in the club, they'll begin their season next weekend."
Our men's U17s will begin the campaign this Saturday away to Drogheda United (12pm) with the U14s making the trip a little further up the M1 to face Dundalk (2pm) while on Sunday our U19s will play Bohemians (12pm) in a tasty Dublin Derby at the Oscar Traynor Centre with our U15s away to UC (3pm).
"We've got five underage teams in action throughout what will be an eventful and action-packed season. We would love to see as many Pat's fans as possible coming to the Academy games, to support the guys and the girls and I'd like to wish all of our players and coaches the very best of luck of the new season."
You can keep up to date on all things Saints Academy related on our website and social media platforms.
Photo credit: Sportsfile
