The fixtures for the 2012/13 season of the Under-19 Leagues have just been released, with Waterford United facing a testing start to the campaign in the Elite Division.

The young Blues kick-off away to Shelbourne on the weekend of August 19th, and follow that with an opening home tie against defending champions Cork City at the RSC. Series three sees Waterford pitted against the highly-rated Northern Division champions Finn Harps, also at home, before they travel to the Carlisle Grounds to take on Bray Wanderers.

Drogheda at home is followed by Bohemians and UCD away, and then St Pat’s at the RSC, before a trip to the second of the promoted sides sees United return at last to St Coleman’s Park to meet Cobh Ramblers in Series nine. Salthill Devon at home and Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium complete the first phase of games. 

Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers replace the relegated Mervue United and Wexford Youths, who move to the Southern Division as the two remaining divisions are re-arranged. The Southern in fact has a very mid-western feel to it as it also includes GUST, Limerick, Athlone Town and Longford Town. The Northern Division consists of only five sides after the demise of Monaghan United, and has very much a Northwestern flavour with Sligo Rovers, Derry City, Fanad United and Letterkenny Rovers competing with Cup finalists Dundalk.

The Blues finished an excellent third place in the inaugural U19 Elite League last season, and had a great run to the semi-finals of the Enda McGuill Memorial Cup, and confidence is high that the performance can be matched, or maybe even exceeded, in the coming campaign.

The full fixture list is to be found here.