New recruits for the academy
The Cavan-Monaghan Underage League (CMUL) aspires to offer young players across both counties a vital pathway to develop their skills and fulfil their sporting ambitions.
At the heart of this effort is the CMUL Academy, coordinated by Martin Kiernan from Ballyjamesduff alongside Peter O’Hare from Ballyhaise. The academy has taken up the mantle of the FAI’s former Emerging Talent Programme, which was discontinued a few years ago due to funding cuts.
“We felt it was important to keep giving local talent an opportunity to progress and provide them with additional support through excellent coaching,” Kiernan explains.
The academy currently runs two 14-week programmes each year, with six underage teams for boys and girls. Each squad carries 20 to 22 players, who train at Cootehill Harps and The Peace Link in Monaghan, under the guidance of 18 FAI-qualified coaches.
Players are scouted through assessments before signing what Kiernan calls a symbolic “player’s contract.” “It makes them feel special - they’re part of something meaningful.” The initiative is entirely self-funded, relying on the commitment of parents and the local football community. “We have to cover buses, food, referees, everything,” Tiernan adds. “The parents really step up to help us make it happen.”
Despite the financial and logistical challenges, the CMUL Academy has already produced players who have progressed to the top levels of Irish football. Cootehill Harps’ Luke Mulligan celebrated this year as a League of Ireland First Division champion with Dundalk FC, while Bonnie McKiernan from Cavan Town is currently starring for Sligo Rovers and has been nominated for Women’s Premier Division Young Player of the Year.
The CMUL teams compete regularly in interleague matches against Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo. Kiernan’s long-term vision is to see a dedicated Cavan-Monaghan representative team competing nationally. “That’s the dream,” he says. “I’d be hoping to get there.”
However, the current structure still poses challenges for young players aiming to reach the League of Ireland. The traditional pathway runs through established clubs such as Drogheda, Dundalk, Shelbourne, and Sligo Rovers, which often means long journeys and heavy commitments for parents.
“It’s a lot of travel for families,” Kiernan admits. “Ideally, we’d like to see players able to stay and develop within CMUL’s own setup.”
Another pressing issue is access to facilities. “To have our own base would be fantastic,” he says. “At the moment, pitches are tight.”
Nevertheless, the league’s success stories speak volumes. Each summer, CMUL sides compete in prestigious tournaments in Galway and Limerick, facing top opposition from across Ireland and beyond. The CMUL U13 girls’ team captured the Galway Cup title this year - an achievement Kiernan proudly highlights.
Tournaments like these are also prime scouting grounds, offering players the chance to catch the eye of professional academies. One such rising star is Ryan Tinnelly of Kingscourt Harps, who is part of the CMUL Academy for the second year in a row.
His performances, including a hat-trick in Limerick and a top-scorer accolade in the Galway Cup Elite Boys’ Section, earned him a spot training with Dundalk’s U14 pre-academy. Two Kingscourt Harps teammates currently share the weekly trip to Dundalk.
“From here, that’s the progression to the League of Ireland clubs,” says his mother, Ellen Tinnelly, who also volunteers as CMUL’s PRO. She credits the local efforts for the opportunity now open to her son.
“He wouldn’t be where he is without the CMUL. The coaching has been fantastic, especially from his coach Borys, who recently earned his UEFA C Diploma. He’s a real role model for the boys.”
The Academy programme enjoys unwavering support from parents and children. Kiernan credits the dedication of volunteers, coaches, and parents for keeping the programme alive. “It’s all about giving kids the chance to play, to improve their talent and their potential."