Thu. Oct 31st, 2024

Outrage over exclusion of under-13’s girls side from Limerick Soccer League

ByDaragh Coyle

Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 16:47 , , , ,
Photo: Pixabay
‘Clerical error’ sees the club unable to participate in Limerick District Schoolchildren League

Parkville F.C have been left unable to compete in the Limerick District Schoolchildren League (LDSL) following errors made in registration prior to the season.

Despite the attempts of officials from the Meelick-based club to rectify the error – and appeals to both the LDSL and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) – the club have been told they are forbidden from playing fixtures this year.

This news comes after the launch of the FAI’s campaign ‘In Her Boots’ on September 30, designed to empower girls aged 9-16 to stay in soccer.

Former Ireland international and current Treaty United F.C owner Ciara McCormack reposted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) from Limerick City north Fine Gael councillor Olivia O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan’s statement reads, “What is going on here @FAIreland @FAIWomen @faischools intervention is needed. The Limerick District Schoolchildren League (LDSL) is denying access to games for 18 U13 girls at @Parkville1988 – when it is already so difficult to retain girls of that age!”

“Incomprehensible. We’ll do whatever we can to help”, replied McCormack.

Another account also quote-reposted the message from O’Sullivan, commenting, “This is absolutely scandalous.”

The club put out a statement on Facebook yesterday, October 15, referencing the recent article in the Irish Independent, “Unfortunately our u13s girls’ season has yet to take off, please see [the] article for [the] full story.”

The statement concluded, “LDSL have refused to soften their stance. It’s a terrible shame our girls now find themselves in … ‘let the kids play’.”

More to follow.