UCD qualify for the UEFA Youth League in 2017/18

UCD will take part in the 2017/18 UEFA Youth League after their qualification for the prestigious tournament was confirmed by UEFA.

The Students' under-19 national league champions opened up the possibility of competing among Europe's elite as Cork City did for the first time 12 months ago.

Last year the Rebel Army swept aside Finnish champions HJK Helsinki before succumbing to a narrow defeat to AS Roma of Italy in the second round.

The UEFA Youth League is a very similar competition to the UEFA Champions League which sees 32 champions from all over Europe compete with youth teams from the 32 senior entrants.

European football's governing body confirmed UCD will be in the draw for the first round, which takes place on Tuesday, August 29th at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland.

With the prospect of an Enda McGuill Cup final against Dundalk at the end of September, this will undoubtedly be an exciting time for both players, management and supporters at the UCD Bowl.

College currently sit top of the Southern Elite Division, one point ahead of Cobh Ramblers heading into the final two games of the season.

Speaking after his side's qualification for the UEFA Youth League, Maciej Tarnogrodzki has emphasised his delight and is relishing the challenge ahead.

"It's an exciting time for the club and most importantly for the players to have a chance to compete with the best players from other countries.

“We've been training very hard this season with hours put in on the training pitch very similar to the professional academies across Europe.

“Our season has been good so far and we'll prepare well for the Youth League matches."

FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin said that this will provide League of Ireland underage football with a very welcome boost.

"We are very pleased to receive confirmation from UEFA of UCD's qualification for the 2017/18 UEFA Youth League.

"Last year's experience for Cork City was very positive and generated a lot of interest for the talented young players within the club.

“The likes of Chiedoze Ogbene and Aaron Drinan received a lot of attention with their performances for City in the UEFA competition.”

"The SSE Airtricity League underage structure is about providing the best young players in the country with a chance to be tested at a higher level and the UEFA Youth League opportunity gives them another fantastic learning experience."

UCD Head of Youth Development Albert Sugg added: "We didn't get our hopes up for this but we said that if it happened we'd be ready for it.

“It's a great challenge for the club and a good reward for the lads who won the league last season.

"The U19s team is currently top of the Southern Section and are in the Enda McGuill Cup Final so we've kept up where we left off last year.

“There's a good nucleus of lads left over from last season and we've promoted a lot of the lads who were beaten in the U17 final last year.

"We knew we'd be competitive this year while as champions everybody wants to knock you down but the players and staff have put a lot of hard work in and have a lot to play for still.”