The Sligo Leitrim Youth and School Boys League was formed in 1975 when a group of dedicated individuals such as T.J McManamon, Martin Feeney, Sean Coyle and "Buddy" Gallagher formed the first committee and affiliated to the F.A.I, S.F.A.I and the Connacht F.A.I, T.J. McManamon was elected secretary and spent a long number of years in the position. As well as holding the position of Connacht Youth Secretary and also served on various F.A.I. committee's.
Previous to the formation of the League the administration of Youth Football in the area was under the auspices of the local Junior Soccer Body.
In the early days of the League the number of teams competing in the League was small and confined mostly to the Sligo urban area. However in the intervening years the League has expanded rapidly and now covers a wide geographical area from the Kinlough Bundoran area in the north to Carrick-on-Shannon and Boyle in the south and west to the Mayo borders in Enniscrone.
A selection of 70 teams competed in the Local League's at U12, U14, U16 and U18 levels as well as competing in S.F.A.I, F.A.I and Connacht Club competitions. The League also fields representative sides at U12, U14, U16 and U18 levels respectively, competing in Provincial and National Cup competitions.
Over the past couple of years great emphasis has been placed on the coaching and development aspect of the game, with a large number of team managers qualifying as coaches under the umbrella of the F.A.I. coaching departments.
Regular coaching sessions and summer camp for now held and this season the League has initiated an U12 Soccer Academy comprising of 30 of the most talented players in the region and plans are aloof to develop Academies at all age levels in the years ahead.
The League has won many honours at Provincial and National Level including in 1994 winning the prestigious S.F.A.I U13 Kennedy plate. In 1998 Sligo Leitrim under the management of John Lynch and Niall Harrison became the first Connacht side to win the F.A.I Youth Inter-League Cup when the defeated Wexford League's in the final at the showgrounds. Sligo Leitrim are through to the finals of this season's competition and consequently will once again meet Wexford in Arklow on May 7th. This time round they were managed by Ray McManus and John Feeney. Since his triumph with the Sligo Leitrim side Niall Harrison has been appointed F.A.I. Region Development Officer with a brief to develop and foster the game at all levels in the region and to maximise the potential of the talent in the area.
Down through the years a large number of players have gone on to play at National League level with the Sligo Rovers and other clubs. Among the players currently playing in the National League, whom have cut their teeth under the Sligo Leitrim Youth and School Boys League's are Johnny Caulfield (Cork City), Finn Harps Manager Gavin Dykes and his club mate John Kenny. Galway's UTDs Aubery Dolan, and the Eircon League young player of the year this season Ciaran Martyn (U.C.D) as well as Conor O'Grady (Sligo Rovers) the FAI-OPEL School Player of the Year, and colleagues Sean Flannery, Lee Marshall, Keith Gilroy, John Davey, Glen Shannon and Ian Rossiter among others.
Former Merville UTD player Alan Cawley is now in his 3rd season with Leeds UTD, while Mark Rossiter formerly of Abbey UTD is now with Sutherland.
Several players including those aforementioned have tasted international honours under the management of Brian Kerr and Vinny Butler at various age levels and the latest player to be honoured at international level is Carton UTD's Fergal Horan who has been called up by the Manager Paddy Hillard with over 1400 players registered with the League. The search for the stars of tomorrow continues on an ongoing basis as well as providing a valuable recreational outlet for the youth of the area