Carlow & District youth football
Club roots, county colours
A shared home for local youth competitions and the representative teams that carry Carlow’s colours onto the national stage.
The association
A league with a juvenile focus
Carlow & District Juvenile League, known as CDJL, organises youth football through its member clubs. Its official crest carries the foundation year 1986, with a castle, footballs and the red, yellow and green colours that identify the association.
The league’s club directory reaches beyond Carlow town, with communities represented through clubs such as Bagenalstown, Ballymurphy Celtic, Baltinglass Town, Killeshin and Slaney Rovers. The association boundary follows its affiliated football community; a club’s postal county alone does not tell you which youth league it plays in.
The weekly game
Follow the right age group
The official website lists boys’ and girls’ competitions, with 2026/2027 headings that include under-12 and under-13 boys, under-13 and under-15 girls, and under-15 boys. Local league football sits alongside cup ties and national schoolchildren’s competitions.
Use the team’s age group and competition name when looking up a fixture or table. For joining and training, start with the club: it can confirm places, eligibility and the correct team contact. Check match arrangements with that team before travelling.
Association honours
Gaynor Cup champions in 2023
Carlow won the 2023 Gaynor Cup at the University of Limerick, defeating Midlands 6–5 on penalties after a scoreless final. The squad had also progressed through penalty shoot-outs in its quarter-final and semi-final.
Players from clubs including Burrin Celtic, Killeshin, St Fiacc’s, New Oak and Vale Wanderers came together in that representative side. The trophy belongs to the league team’s story, recognising a group drawn from several local clubs rather than a single club side.
Representative football
Carlow at the 2026 tournaments
Carlow finished twelfth at the 2026 Kennedy Cup. A 1–0 Bowl quarter-final win over Midlands was followed by defeat to Waterford in the semi-final, before Wexford won the final placement game 2–1.
The girls’ representative side finished thirteenth at the 2026 Gaynor Cup, recording three wins across its seven games. Its tournament began with a 3–0 victory over Limerick Desmond. These annual competitions give league squads a national stage alongside their players’ regular club football.
League enquiries
Choose the right contact
CDJL publishes separate contacts for its secretary, registrar and transfer co-ordinator, fixtures administration, disciplinary officer and academy staff. The contact page also distinguishes the girls’ academy role from the wider academy team.
Use those league channels for competition administration and representative enquiries. A local club remains the first contact for membership, training and a child’s day-to-day team arrangements. For the latest office holders and contact details, follow the league’s own directory.
