North East Senior League AllStars 2026 takes place at DkIT

Soccer in the North East region started in 1984 when the late, great Dave Colgan, a teacher in St. Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda, called a meeting of interested teachers in the old Europa Hotel in Drogheda – he booked a room that held thirty, but only four showed up! Nonetheless, it was a start & the competition commenced in 1985 with six schools competing, from Drogheda, Dundalk & Meath.

Over time, the region has grown rapidly & there are now 34 schools playing soccer in the region, which covers Louth, Meath & north Dublin. Indeed, across Leinster, soccer is played in more second level schools than any other code, with 320 schools competing in boys & girls competitions at second level this season.

DkIT is the perfect venue & partner for these awards, as the Institute offers specific sports scholarships to students who choose to pursue their third-level courses there. The planned link-up with Queen’s University, Belfast, will only add to the attraction.

The selection of twenty-two players covered both the Division One & Division Two/Three competitions, with team mentors & the public voting – indeed, almost six thousand votes were cast in the online poll.

The Division One selection covered six different schools, with Senior League Champions St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne prominent, as well as De La Salle College, Dundalk, St. Oliver’s C.C., Drogheda & St. Mary’s College, Dundalk.

The Division Two/Three selection covered eight different schools, with Colaiste Ris, Dundalk, St. Joseph’s CBS, Drogheda & Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer prominent in the selection. Many of the players selected are also involved with their local League of Ireland academy teams.

Further details of the DkIT Sports Scholarship Scheme are available here: https://www.dkit.ie/study/student-fees-grants-scholarships/scholarships/sports-scholarships.html