UCC Soccer excited for National League debut
The launch of the new Football Association of Ireland (FAI) National League provides serious opportunity for the development of football in Cork, according to representatives from University College Cork Soccer Club (UCC).
As a founding member, the club said that it looks forward to working collaboratively with the FAI and all other clubs in what it said was a significant step for football pathways and player development.
Greg Yelverton, UCC Soccer Development Officer said: "These are exciting times for UCC. This strategic move reflects our commitment to developing the game at UCC while maintaining our core values of education and holistic player development.
“Participation in the third tier will raise the standard of football for our players and coaches, strengthen pathways for talented student athletes to progress to national senior levels, and enhance UCC's sporting profile nationally, aligning with our strategic vision for soccer development,” he said.
The National League will form the third tier of men’s senior football in Ireland. A shorter season will run in 2026 from September until November, with a full season starting in spring 2027.
Promotion and relegation between the National League and the League of Ireland First Division will come into effect at the end of the first full season in autumn 2027.
Brian Lennox, Chairperson of UCC Soccer thanked all the players and coaches who helped bring the club to this point.
“The league provides an outstanding opportunity to support high-performance football within an educational environment and to contribute to the continued growth of the game in Ireland,” he said.
Dave Moore, UCC’s Head Coach, said that the new league will help to raise the standards for players, coaches, and administrators alike.
Daniel McCarthy, UCC Senior Team Captain said: “Being part of a progressive step in the football pyramid gives us a clear pathway to improve as players, compete at a higher level, and create a genuine platform to further our careers while representing the university.”UCC will kick off its National League campaign with a match away to Killarney Celtic on 5 September.
Their first home match will be on 26 September at the Mardyke Arena, where they will face CK United.Robert Lisson, Student Chairman UCC Soccer said: “We’re proud to be part of this next chapter and look forward to helping build an ambitious and competitive environment for current and future UCC players.”