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Mervue United and Salthill Devon will not field any underage sides at national level in 2016 after they withdrew applications to participate in the under-15 and under-17 League of Ireland.

The clubs have opted to step away from League of Ireland football in order to facilitate the development of Galway United, on whose board each club has two representatives.

Following their withdrawal from senior football in 2013, both clubs fielded under-19 League of Ireland side but withdrew from that league at the end of the 2014/15 season.

It brings to an end the Galway clubs' nine-year association with the League of Ireland, having entered the senior A Championship for the first time in 2008 before each winning promotion to the First Division.

Mervue United club statement:

At a recent Board meeting of Mervue United FC it was decided that Mervue United FC would withdraw our application to participate in the national Under 15 and 17 League of Ireland.

Following on from the O’Connor Report in 2013, Mervue Utd FC has continually supported the establishment and sustainment of an underage pathway and senior League of Ireland team in Galway. A number of underage players from our Club have gone on to represent Galway United at U-19 and senior level. Members of Mervue United FC have worked tirelessly in conjunction with other entities to make this project a resounding success and to ensure League of Ireland football returned and, indeed, thrived in Galway.

Over the last 10 years Mervue United FC has participated at various levels of League of Ireland football, (A Championship, First Division, U-21, U-20, U-19 and U-17). The club has taken great pride in competing at these levels and providing a clear pathway for all our players to progress in the game.

Mervue United FC is fully supportive of the FAI Player Pathway now being pursued at national level. To provide a genuine pathway, however, it is our view that regional youth leagues are also required to bridge the gap between national and local standards. We need to facilitate the transitional development of young players, who mature at different stages in their young lives reflecting their physical and technical development.

Mervue United FC prides itself in our traditions of player and coach development. As a club in existence for over 55 years steeped in the local community and built on a foundation of volunteerism, we feel the time is right to step away from League of Ireland football and focus on the continued development of our players and unrivalled facilities.

We will continue to provide football for all within our club and invest in the development of our coaches and all our players with the vision to competing at local, regional and national levels in both male and female competitions.

Salthill Devon's statement can be read here.