SSE Airtricity Premier Division club Bohemians and Dublin schoolboy outfit St Kevin's Boys have announced an exclusive partnership.
The clubs say they will aim to provide a development pathway from elite schoolboy football through to senior level.
The two clubs entered separate teams in this year's inaugural SSE Airtricity U15 League with the decision to allow the schoolboy club enter a team without a link-up to a senior club created a feeling of anger among other SSE Airtricity clubs and schoolboy clubs who had developed parnerships.
Now Bohs and St Kevins will enter a joint team when the 2018 season kicks off in March and the arrangement will be extended to U13 level when the new SSE Airtricity U13 League commences in March 2019.
It gives young players a chance to follow in the footsteps of Irish international quartet; former Bohs men Stephen Ward and Matt Doherty and the former St Kevin's duo of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick.
Bohs first-team manager Keith Long believes the new development is a "statement of intent" that can only benefit both parties.
"We're two elite clubs operating out of the northside of Dublin. We both have a reputation for bringing talent through, so the potential is clear.
"We have the same vision and we believe we can work really well together. From a footballing point of view, this deal makes sense for both of us.
"You only have to look at the calibre of player St Kevin's have produced to see that. It's a statement of intent from both clubs."
Bohemians Youth Development Officer Ian Morris said: "The youth section has grown steadily and we feel we now have very strong foundations in place. This arrangement with St Kevin's will complement those and we're looking forward to it."
"This is an opportunity to present a defined pathway for coaches and elite players from the youngest age groups right through to League of Ireland football and beyond, using the existing expertise within both clubs," commented St Kevin's Director of Football Ken Donohoe.
"It will create opportunities for players from both clubs to maximise their potential in a highly professional and competitive environment."
The deal brings an end to Bohemians' previous arrangement with the North Dublin Schoolboy League.
