Fifteen fixtures across two days will see teams from every corner of the club's boys' and girls' programme in action this weekend, with Marley's Lane set to host a string of home ties while several squads face lengthy away trips around Dublin.
Drogheda Boys/Girls FC will be a hive of activity this Saturday and Sunday, 26th and 27th September, as the club fields fifteen separate teams across its extensive underage structure. With fixtures confirmed across the board, supporters, parents, and players alike can look forward to a weekend that showcases the full breadth of the club's football programme.
SATURDAY SETS THE TONE
The weekend kicks off on Saturday morning with seven fixtures, and it promises to be an early start for several squads. First out of the blocks are the 2018 Claret side, who make the trip away to face Glebe North FC at 11:00, followed shortly after by the 2017 Claret team, who travel to take on Artane Beaumont FC at 10:00 sharp.
It won't be all away days for the club, however, as Marley's Lane will see plenty of action of its own. The 2016 Claret squad will welcome Phoenix FC for a 10 o'clock small-sided game, while not long after, the 2015 Claret side will also call Marley's Lane home for their clash with Firhouse Carmel FC, played out on Pitch 2.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the 2014 Claret team face a trickier away assignment against Beechwood FC, throwing in at 12:15. Back at Marley's Lane, there's a notable fixture for the 2013 Claret Major side, who host Lourdes Celtic FC at 11:15 in what promises to be one of the more keenly contested games of the day.
Rounding out Saturday's action, the 2012 Claret side face a considerable journey to Killester Donnycarney FC for an 11 o'clock kick-off — one of the longer trips on the club's card this weekend.
SUNDAY BRINGS THE BIGGEST SLATE
If Saturday offers a taste of the weekend's scale, Sunday delivers the main course. Eight fixtures are scheduled, taking in boys' and girls' football alike, and once again Marley's Lane will be a hub of activity.
The day begins at 10 o'clock with the 2019 Blue side hosting Lusk United AFC in a twin small-sided fixture at Marley's Lane. At the same time, some distance away, the 2015 Blue team will be doing battle with Glasnevin FC on the road.
The girls' sides are also well represented on Sunday. The 2016 Girls travel to face Granada FC at 13:00, while the 2013 Girls make the trip to Dalkey United FC for an 11:45 throw-in. Both fixtures will test the depth and development of the club's girls' pathway as the season progresses.
Back on the boys' side, the 2014 Blue squad head away to St Maelruans FC at 11:00, while the 2013 Blue side face another of the weekend's longer journeys, travelling to Mount Merrion Youths FC for an 11:15 kick-off.
Marley's Lane, meanwhile, continues to see a steady stream of home fixtures. The 2012 Blue side welcome Killegland AFC to Pitch 2 at 10:00, before two of the more prominent fixtures of the weekend take place back-to-back on the main pitch. At 12:00, the 2011 Claret Major side host Cherry Orchard FC in a League 1 encounter, while the 2010 Girls Youths Major side host Castleknock Celtic FC at 10:00, also in League 1 action.
A STRONG OPENING TO THE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN
This packed weekend of fixtures comes at an encouraging time for the club, with the opening four weeks of the league season having brought a real sense of positive momentum across the age groups at Drogheda Boys/Girls FC. From the youngest squads to the more senior underage sides, teams have shown promising signs of development and competitiveness as the campaign has taken shape, a testament to the work being put in by coaches, players, and volunteers across the club week in, week out.
With so many teams now in the thick of their league programmes, the coming weeks offer a further opportunity for that early-season progress to be built upon, and the club will be hoping this weekend's full slate of fixtures continues the positive trajectory established since the campaign got under way.
PUTTING THE PLAYERS FIRST: IT'S MY GAME
With so many young players, families, and volunteers converging on pitches across Dublin this weekend, the club is taking the opportunity to remind everyone connected with Drogheda Boys/Girls FC of the importance of the Its My Game Policy.
The policy exists to protect what matters most about underage football: the enjoyment, development, and wellbeing of the children who play it. As squads travel to grounds across the city and welcome visiting teams to Marley's Lane, the club is asking parents, guardians, and supporters on the sideline to keep behaviour positive, encouraging, and respectful at all times — towards their own players and the opposition alike.
Positive sideline conduct isn't just about good manners; it shapes the entire experience for young players. Cheering effort over outcome, avoiding pressure or criticism from the touchline, and letting coaches coach are all simple but powerful ways that adults can help create an environment where kids want to keep playing the game. With fifteen fixtures and hundreds of young players involved this weekend alone, the club is urging everyone to play their part in making Its My Game a lived reality on every sideline, not just a slogan.
A WEEKEND THAT REFLECTS THE CLUB'S SCALE
Taken together, the two days paint a picture of a club operating at considerable scale, and one building real momentum four weeks into the new season. Of the fifteen confirmed fixtures across the weekend, seven will be played on home turf at Marley's Lane, while the remaining eight see Drogheda sides venture out across Dublin.
With age groups stretching from the 2019s through to senior underage level in action, and with the club's Its My Game values front and centre, this weekend stands as a fitting snapshot of both the scale and the spirit of Drogheda Boys/Girls FC's footballing operation as it looks to build on a promising start to the campaign.