EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League launched as part of new season in 2024

The League of Ireland has announced the introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League to replace the existing MU19 League as the 2024 EA SPORTS LOI Academy was launched today. 

The introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League comes in to allow players in the final age group of the system every opportunity to develop and progress into senior League of Ireland teams. 

The move will see players be retained longer in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy system and it will provide players with the additional time they may need to physically mature and develop as a player. Additionally, the Future Developers rule has been extended to include first year MU20 players who can now play across age groups also.

The launch of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Leagues for 2024 also sees the introduction of Mayo Football Club to the League of Ireland for the first time.

Mayo FC will be represented by MU14, MU15 and WU17 teams in their respective EA SPORTS LOI Academy games programmes. 

Kerry FC’s introduction to the League of Ireland is also extended as they will enter a WU17 team for the first time. 

With the most amount of players and teams, the 2024 EA SPORTS LOI Academy Leagues will be the biggest ever in the League of Ireland.

Clubs who have both boys and girls EA SPORTS LOI Academy teams will have the option to play female players with the boys as a player development tool also next season. WU17 players will be allowed to play at MU14 & MU15 level and WU19 players will be allowed to play at MU15 & MU17 level.   

League of Ireland Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke, said: “We’re very excited to launch this years EA SPORTS LOI Academy Development Programme. The introduction of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 League will give players even more opportunities of fulfilling their potential and achieving their aim of playing for senior League of Ireland teams. We’re also delighted to have Mayo FC enter the League of Ireland with their new EA SPORTS LOI Academy teams as well as seeing football grow further in Kerry with their new WU17 team. Last season we expanded the games programme by hosting several successful events and we look forward to more new events in 2024. We would like to thank EA SPORTS for their continued support in helping to develop the next generation of Irish footballer and I’d like to wish all players, coaches, referees, club officials and volunteers the best of luck ahead of the new season.” 

James Taylor, Director – Football Partnerships at EA SPORTS FC, said: “We are proud to support the EA SPORTS League of Ireland Academy for the second year, as we continue our commitment to the grassroots game and help to develop young, aspiring talent in Ireland. It’s a real privilege to be a part of each player’s journey as they navigate their way through the player pathway to hopefully become a future star of the world’s game. We look forward to continuing to support the clubs, league and players across the country for Season 24.”