The League of Ireland U19 Division is the under-19 division of the League of Ireland. The current division is the successor of earlier U21 and U20 divisions. Like the Premier Division and First Division, the U19 Division is currently sponsored by Airtricity and as a result it is also known as the SSE Airtricity U19 League. The earlier U21 and U20 divisions were sponsored by Eircom and as a result were referred to as the Eircom U21 League or the Eircom U20 League. The division is also sometimes referred to as the Dr Tony O'Neill League because the winners are awarded the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup. In 2016 Cork City became the first team to represent the division in the UEFA Youth League.

History

Eircom U21 League

The inaugural season of the U21 division took place in 2000–01 and St Patrick's Athletic finished as the first champions. In 2001–02 Waterford United won the title before Cork City won their first title in 2002–03. City then retained the title in 2003–04. UCD subsequently won three of four remaining titles during the U21 era. As well as featuring the youth teams of contemporary League of Ireland clubs, the division also featured the representative teams of junior leagues such as the Kerry District League, the Mayo Association Football League and the Sligo/Leitrim League. In 2004 Sligo/Leitrim reached the final of the Enda McGuill Cup. In addition to featuring UCD, the division also featured three other university teams – NUI Galway, the University of Limerick and Dublin University. The division was also used by the League of Ireland as an avenue for future members of its senior divisions. Both Salthill Devon and Mervue United began their League of Ireland careers in the U21 division. In 2003 Mervue United were Enda McGuill Cup finalists and in 2006 Salthill Devon became the first club to win the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup without having a team in the senior divisions. In addition to competing for the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup and the Enda McGuill Cup, teams in the U21 division also played in several other competitions including pre-season tournaments in 2006 and 2007 and a futsal league in 2007 which was won by Shamrock Rovers. This latter competition evolved into the FAI Futsal Cup.

Eircom U20 League

In 2008, as part of a restructuring of the League of Ireland that also saw the introduction of the A Championship, the U21 division was relaunched as a U20 division. The new division featured the youth teams of the 22 clubs in the Premier Division and First Division plus four other teams – F.C. Carlow, Kilkenny City, Salthill Devon and Mervue United. Cork City were the first U20 champions in 2008–09 followed by UCD in 2009. In 2010 Andrew Myler guided Shamrock Rovers to their first title.

Airtricity U19 League

During the U19 era Cork City have established themselves as the dominant team, winning the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup four seasons out of five and winning the Enda McGuill Cup on three occasions. In 2016 Cork City also became the first team to represent the division in the UEFA Youth League.

A "Liga de Sub19 da Irlanda" é um torneio de futebol emocionante que reúne as melhores equipes de jogadores com menos de 19 anos da Irlanda. Este torneio é uma oportunidade para os jovens talentos do futebol irlandês mostrarem suas habilidades e competirem em um ambiente competitivo.

As equipes participantes representam diferentes clubes e regiões da Irlanda, trazendo consigo uma rica diversidade de estilos de jogo e estratégias. Os jogos são disputados em vários estádios em todo o país, proporcionando aos jogadores e torcedores a chance de explorar diferentes partes da Irlanda enquanto desfrutam do futebol de alto nível.

A "Liga de Sub19 da Irlanda" é conhecida por sua intensidade e paixão, com os jogadores demonstrando um grande comprometimento em campo. Os talentos emergentes têm a oportunidade de se destacar e chamar a atenção de olheiros e treinadores de clubes profissionais, abrindo portas para futuras oportunidades no futebol.

Além disso, o torneio também promove o espírito esportivo e a camaradagem entre os jogadores, incentivando o fair play e o respeito mútuo. Os torcedores são essenciais para criar uma atmosfera vibrante e empolgante nos estádios, apoiando suas equipes e celebrando cada gol e vitória.

A "Liga de Sub19 da Irlanda" é um evento imperdível para os amantes do futebol, oferecendo uma visão privilegiada do futuro do esporte na Irlanda. Com jogos emocionantes, talentos promissores e uma atmosfera contagiante, este torneio certamente deixará uma marca duradoura no cenário do futebol irlandês.