League of Ireland Women's Premier Division#Related competitions

The FAI/WFAI first organised a women's national league in 1973. It was known as the Ladies League of Ireland or the Women's League of Ireland. Twelve teams were originally invited to participate. These included several teams associated with clubs in the men's League of Ireland such as Dundalk, Finn Harps, Cork Celtic, Limerick and Sligo Rovers. Others included Benfica (Waterford), Evergreen (Kilkenny), Avengers (Dublin), Cahir Park (Tipperary) and three teams from Galway – Beejays, Happy Wanderers and Wasps. The league started in March 1973 and teams played thirty five minute halves.{{cite news|title=League of Ireland for Kilkenny|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=16 February 1973|page=15}}{{cite news|title=Ladies Soccer|newspaper=Munster Express|date=6 July 1973|page=19}} As the league got started, there were some changes and dropouts. Cahir Park defeated Elms United, a fourth team from Galway, 1–0 at West Park, Galway, in the very first Ladies League of Ireland game on Sunday, 4 March 1973.{{cite news|title=Elms United Unlucky To Lose|newspaper=Connacht Tribune|date=9 March 1973|page=11}} Evergreen (Kilkenny) withdrew after losing their first three games,{{cite news|title=Ladies Win Well|newspaper=Connacht Tribune|date=23 April 1973|page=11}} although a Kilkenny team did compete in the 1974 season.{{cite news|title=Soccer crown for Kilkenny|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=24 May 1974|page=20}} Benfica played an away game at Finn Harps as part of a double header before a 1972–73 League of Ireland game between Finn Harps and Waterford.{{cite news|title=Ladies First|newspaper=Munster Express|date=6 April 1973|page=21}} Limerick finished the 1973 season as champions after going unbeaten in a fifteen match series. In a post season friendly they lost 3–1 to a touring Stade de Reims at Markets Field.{{cite news|title=Limerick ladies suffer defeat|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=22 August 1973|page=12}}

By 1979 the Ladies League of Ireland featured seven teams with approximately 120 active players.{{cite news|title=How About Ladies Soccer?|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=2 November 1979|page=18}} The original Ladies League of Ireland subsequently went into demise but was relaunched in April 1987. This time its members included Cork Rangers, Cork Celtic, Benfica, Greenpark (Limerick) and Dublin Castle and games featured forty minute halves.{{cite news|title=League of Ireland for Mitsuibishi Benfica|newspaper=Munster Express|date=13 March 1987|page=26}}{{cite news|title=Benfica Share The Points|newspaper=Munster Express|date=29 April 1988|page=12}}{{cite news|title=Ladies Soccer|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=12 June 1987|page=10}} Eamonn Darcy, a former manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national football team, served as vice-president of the league.{{cite news|title=Woman's League of Ireland|newspaper=Irish Press|date=9 April 1987|page=18}} The revived league was sponsored by Hotpoint and Cork Rangers were the 1987 champions.{{cite news|title=Hotpoint Women's League of Ireland|newspaper=Munster Express|date=27 May 1988|page=19}}

Dublin Castle were the 1988 champions after defeating Greenpark (Limerick) 3–1 in a play-off.{{cite web|title=Ladies Soccer|url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/soccer%20players%20046.pdf|publisher=limerickcity.ie|access-date=10 May 2016}} However the revived Ladies League of Ireland lasted just three seasons and was abandoned in 1989.{{cite news|title=Cup Final Showdown for Benfica|newspaper=Munster Express|date=8 September 1989|page=18}}

In 1996 there was an unsuccessful attempt to launch a third Ladies League of Ireland.{{cite news|title=Ladies League of Ireland|newspaper=Munster Express|date=8 March 1996|page=9}}{{cite news|title=Ladies League of Ireland |newspaper=The Anglo-Celt|date=14 March 1996|page=24}} Proposed members included a Mayo Ladies League representative team{{cite news|title=Mayo girls soccer squad mooted|newspaper=The Connaught Telegraph|date=15 November 1995|page=27}} and Longford Strikers.{{cite news|title=Longford Strikers Ladies Soccer Club|newspaper=Longford Leader|date=2 June 1995|page=23}} During the 1990s and 2000s, in the absence of an official national league, the Dublin Women's Soccer League developed into a de facto national league.{{cite book|last=Fan Hong|first=J. A. Mangan|title=Soccer, Women, Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era|publisher=Frank Cass Publishers|year=2004}} The Women's Soccer Colleges Association of Ireland (WSCAI) also organised a national league featuring women's teams representing universities and third level colleges from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.{{cite web|title=Women's Soccer Colleges Association of Ireland|url=http://www.thirdlevelfootball.ie/wscai/about/|publisher=thirdlevelfootball.ie|access-date=12 May 2016}} Both of these leagues featured future members of the Women's National League. Peamount United, Raheny United, Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne Ladies were all members of the DWSL while UCD fielded teams in both leagues.

The current Women's National League was formed in 2011–12. Originally seven clubs were invited to join the league. These included Peamount United, Castlebar Celtic, Cork Women's F.C., Raheny United, Shamrock Rovers, Wexford Youths and Bray Wanderers/St. Joseph's.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0803/fai_women.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909093102/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0803/fai_women.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2012 |title=FAI announce new Women's League |publisher=RTÉ Sport |date=3 August 2011 |access-date=6 August 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Irish women's league to launch|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/news/newsid=1661475.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025100342/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/news/newsid=1661475.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2011|publisher=UEFA|access-date=2 September 2011|date=3 August 2011}} The league was launched with financial support from UEFA.{{cite web|title=UEFA funding helps women's national football league launch in Republic of Ireland|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefa/mediaservices/mediainformation/newsid=1701812.html?rss=1701812+UEFA+funding+helps+women%92s+national+football+league+launch+in+Republic+of+Ireland|publisher=UEFA|access-date=20 October 2011|date=20 October 2011}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Twenty-six clubs had originally applied to join the league before the final seven were chosen. However, due to a lack of playing resources, Bray Wanderers/St Joseph's had to withdraw before the season started.{{cite web|title=Women's league set to kick off in style |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/womens-league-set-to-kick-off-in-style-173749.html#!|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=13 May 2016|date=12 November 2011}} Peamount United were the inaugural league champions, finishing three points clear of second placed Raheny United. Peamount United also completed a league double by winning the WNL Cup, defeating Shamrock Rovers 1–0 in the final.{{cite web|title=Peamount are crowned Bus Eireann Women's League Cup Final Winners|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/113-peamount-are-crowned-cup-final-winners.html|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=20 May 2013|date=6 May 2012}} The following two seasons, 2012–13 and 2013–14, saw Raheny United finish as league champions.{{cite web|title=Raheny United claim Women's National League title (2012-2013)|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2013/0512/391848-raheny-claim-womens-national-league-title/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=18 March 2014|date=12 May 2013}}{{cite web|title=Raheny United claim Women's National League title (2013-2014)|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2014/0427/612090-raheny-retain-womens-league-title/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=11 November 2014|date=27 April 2014}} The league received international publicity in October 2013 when Stephanie Roche scored an acclaimed goal for Peamount United against Wexford Youths which subsequently went viral on YouTube.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/footballvideo/10393036/Today-on-YouTube-Stephanie-Roche-scores-goal-of-the-season-contender-for-Peamount-United.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021092032/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/footballvideo/10393036/Today-on-YouTube-Stephanie-Roche-scores-goal-of-the-season-contender-for-Peamount-United.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2013|title=Today on YouTube: Stephanie Roche scores goal of the season contender for Peamount United|date=21 October 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=22 October 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/11303/ |title=Stephanie Roche Goal – The World Reacts – Passes 1 million views |date=21 October 2013 |publisher=ExtraTime.ie |access-date=22 October 2013 |first=Rory |last=Kelly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024053153/http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/11303 |archive-date=24 October 2013 }} Footage of the goal was uploaded to the internet by team manager Eileen Gleeson as the matches were not televised.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/#!/clip/813/|title=Stephanie Roche talks us through her wonder strike|date=21 October 2013|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=22 October 2013}} Together with James Rodríguez and Robin van Persie, Roche was subsequently nominated for the 2014 FIFA Puskás Award. At the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony on 12 January 2015, Roche finished second to Rodríguez{{cite news | url= http://www.evoke.ie/news/stephanie-roche-best-goal-loses-puskas-award-fifa-ballon-dor/ | work= evoke.ie | title= Stephanie Roche misses out on Puskas Award but scores red carpet hit at the FIFA Ballon D'Or ceremony | date= 12 January 2015 | access-date= 3 January 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160125124104/http://evoke.ie/news/stephanie-roche-best-goal-loses-puskas-award-fifa-ballon-dor/ | archive-date= 25 January 2016 | url-status= dead }} with 33% of the vote. In 2014–15 Wexford Youths were league champions and{{cite web | url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/402-wexford-claim-wnl-title.html | title=Wexford claim WNL title | publisher=wnl.fai.ie | date=28 March 2015 | access-date=29 March 2015}} in 2015–16 they retained the title after defeating Shelbourne Ladies in a play-off.{{cite web| url=http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/16686/wnl-play-off-report-shelbourne-ladies-1---2-wexford-youths-women/|title=WNL Play-Off Report: Shelbourne Ladies 1–2 Wexford Youths Women| publisher=extratime.ie| date=22 May 2016}}

In 2016 a shortened transitional season was played from August to December where each team played 14 matches.{{Cite web|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/614-wnl-set-to-kick-off.html|title = WNL Set to Kick off – Women's National League}} From 2017 the league was restructured into a summer league, while a possible new team from Sligo entered into talks to join.{{cite web| url = https://oceanfm.ie/2016/07/20/fai-unveil-2016-wnl-fixtures-and-confirm-northwest-team-still-in-the-plans-for-2017/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160721122131/http://oceanfm.ie/2016/07/20/fai-unveil-2016-wnl-fixtures-and-confirm-northwest-team-still-in-the-plans-for-2017/| archive-date = 2016-07-21| title = FAI unveil 2016 WNL fixtures and confirm northwest team still in the plans for 2017 {{!}} Ocean FM}}

The league celebrated its 10th year in 2021 with a new sponsor (SSE Airtricity). This was the first year it shared the same sponsor as the men's League of Ireland.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/sse-airtricity-extends-title-sponsorship-of-league-of-ireland-1.4463140|title =SSE Airtricity extends title sponsorship of League of Ireland|date= 20 January 2021|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 January 2021}}

DLR Waves joined the league in 2012–13{{cite web|title=Bus Eireann WNL Launch 2012/13|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/123-bus-eireann-wnl-launch-201213.html|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=26 August 2012|date=20 August 2012}} and Galway W.F.C. were added for the 2013–14 season.{{cite news|last1=Kelly|first1=Keith|title=Galway women come together to form new National League side|url=http://connachttribune.ie/galway-women-come-together-to-form-new-national-league-side/|access-date=3 January 2016|work=Connacht Tribune|date=13 June 2013}} Before the 2014–15 season Cork Women's F.C. were taken over by FORAS/Cork City F.C. and as a result were renamed Cork City W.F.C.{{cite news|title=Cork Women's FC to re-launch|url=http://www.supporters-direct.org/news-article/cork-womens-fc-to-re-launch|access-date=3 January 2016|publisher=Supporters Direct|date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126131329/http://www.supporters-direct.org/news-article/cork-womens-fc-to-re-launch|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead}} It was also announced that DLR Waves and UCD's senior women's team would join forces and become known as UCD Waves.{{cite web|title=About UCD Waves FC|url=http://ucdwaves.ie/about-us/|publisher=ucdwaves.ie|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214958/http://ucdwaves.ie/about-us/|url-status=dead}} Shamrock Rovers also withdrew from the league, leaving seven teams to play each other.{{cite web|title=Fixtures 2014-15 announced|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/338-fixtures-2014-15-announced.html|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=28 July 2014|date=28 July 2014}} In January 2015 the FAI sent out invitations to clubs in an effort to expand the league.{{cite web | url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/11189 | title=FAI seeks National League Newcomers | publisher=shekicks.net | date=27 January 2015 | access-date=28 January 2015}} This resulted in Kilkenny United W.F.C. joining the league for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web | url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/416-kilkenny-united-join-wnl.html | title=Kilkenny United join WNL|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|date=3 July 2015|access-date=4 July 2015}} In 2015 the senior women's team at Raheny United merged with Shelbourne Ladies. This effectively saw Shelbourne Ladies takeover Raheny United's place in the league.{{cite news|title=Rahney United & Shelbourne Ladies merge|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/414-rahney-united-shelbourne-ladies-merge.html|access-date=3 January 2016|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=19 June 2015}} Before the 2015–16 season was finished Castlebar Celtic withdrew from league because they were unable to field a team.{{cite web|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/573-castlebar-celtic-withdraw-from-wnl.html|title=Castlebar Celtic withdraw from WNL |publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=16 April 2016|date=31 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/castlebar-celtic-withdraw-from-continental-tyres-wnl|title=Castlebar Celtic withdraw from Continental Tyres WNL|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=16 April 2016|date=31 March 2016}}

In 2018, Limerick joined, bringing the total number back up to eight, however, in December 2019 the club was on the verge of extinction after the examinership process to try to keep their trading company afloat ended unsuccessfully and the club did not receive a licence for the 2020 season.

The Women's National League Committee decided to expand the 2020 WNL to nine teams. Bohemians' application was successful, while Treaty United's application to enter the WNL in place of Limerick was also accepted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstalk.com/sport/shamrock-rovers-b-team-accepted-first-division-947737|title=Shamrock Rovers B-team accepted into First Division|first=Richie|last=McCormack|website=Newstalk}} Both teams and Athlone Town joined the WNL for the first time that year.{{cite web|url=https://wnl.fai.ie/news/1145-2020-women-s-national-league-to-expand-to-nine-teams.html|title=2020 Women's National League to expand to nine teams|publisher=FAI Women’s National League|access-date=29 July 2020|date=18 February 2020}} Kilkenny United were excluded for a variety of reasons, including that they had not bonded with the local league, they had changed venues for home games, did not train in Kilkenny, lacked a qualified manager, and had produced poor results (just seven points in the last three seasons combined [60 matches]).{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/24209/kilkenny-united-release-lengthy-statement-following-womens-national-league-departure/|title=Kilkenny United release lengthy statement following Women's National League departure|website=ExtraTime.ie}} In 2022 Sligo Rovers competed for the first time, bringing the league membership up to ten clubs.

{{cite news |last1=McDonnell |first1=Daniel |title=Sligo Rovers to make step up to Women's National League for 2022 season |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/sligo-rovers-to-make-step-up-to-womens-national-league-for-2022-season-41137803.html |access-date=22 January 2022 |work=Irish Independent |date=10 December 2021}} While in November 2022 it was announced that Shamrock Rovers and Galway United would enter for the 2023 season while previously that year it was announced that Galway W.F.C would not participate for 2023 onwards.

Waterford will enter for the 2025 season.https://waterfordfc.ie/2024/11/27/waterford-fc-awarded-mens-and-womens-licences-for-2025/

{{Location map+ |Ireland |AlternativeMap = Island of Ireland location map.svg|alt=Map of the Republic of Ireland with the twelve League of Ireland Women's Premier Division teams |caption=Locations of Premier Division teams |float=right |width=280 |places=

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=53.35|long=-6.21|label_size=90|background=|label=Dublin|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=53.42|long=-7.91|label_size=90|background=|label={{Nowrap|Athlone Town}}|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=51.87|long=-8.54|label_size=90|background=|label=Cork City|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=53.29|long=-9.07|label_size=90|position=bottom|background=|label={{nowrap|Galway United}}}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=54.27|long=-8.48|label_size=90|position=right|background=|label=Sligo Rovers}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=52.64|long=-8.62|label_size=90|position=bottom|background=|label={{nowrap|Treaty United}}}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=52.36|long=-6.51|label_size=90|position=right|background=|label=Wexford}}

{{Location map~|Ireland|lat=52.2583|long=-7.119|label_size=90|position=bottom|background=|label=Waterford}}

{{Location map~ |Ireland |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1

| coordinates = {{coord|55|24|N|10|57|W}}|position=right|background=|label={{nowrap|Dublin teams}}
{{nowrap|Bohemians}}
{{nowrap|DLR Waves}}
{{Nowrap|Peamount United}}
{{nowrap|Shamrock Rovers}}
{{nowrap|Shelbourne}}}}

}}

The first live game was broadcast by TG4 from Tolka Park on 2 October 2021 with hosts Shelbourne beating DLR Waves 1:0 with Alex Kavanagh scoring the only goal.

https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/match-reports/shelbournes-alex-kavanagh-makes-history-21746549 Games are regularly shown live on TG4https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tg4-confirm-live-games-extend-coverage-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/ and the league's own tv channel.

Between 2011–12 and the end of the 2013–14 season the league was sponsored by Bus Éireann. On 20 August 2014, at the Aviva Stadium, Continental Tyres were unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Women's National League and FAI Women's Cup, as part of a wider sponsorship deal for women's association football in the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web|title=Bus Éireann announced as sponsor of Women's National League|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102094%3Abus-eireann-announced-as-sponsor-of-womens-national-league&catid=31%3Afai-umbro-senior-challenge-cup-womens&Itemid=62|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=29 September 2011|date=28 September 2011}}{{cite news|title=Women's Soccer Secures Continental Backing|url=http://sportforbusiness.com/womens-soccer-secures-continental-backing/|access-date=3 January 2016|publisher=Sport for Business|date=21 August 2014}} On 5 March 2019 the ninth season of the Women's National League was launched and Só Hotels unveiled as the new sponsors.{{cite web|title=Só Hotel Group confirmed as Women's National League sponsor|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/1017-so-hotel-group-confirmed-as-women-s-national-league-sponsor.html|publisher=FAI Women’s National League|access-date=3 July 2019|date=6 March 2019}} In 2020 the League lacked a title sponsor, as Só Hotels did not renew their agreement from the previous season.{{cite news |title=Women's National League to kick off on 8 August |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0717/1153914-womens-national-league-to-kick-off-on-8-august/ |access-date=6 December 2020 |publisher=RTÉ Sport |date=17 July 2020}} Barretstown were announced as a "charity partner" on 24 July 2020.{{cite news |title=Barretstown unveiled as WNL charity partner |url=https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/barretstown-unveiled-as-wnl-charity-partner |access-date=6 December 2020 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |date=24 July 2010}}

In January 2021 the League attracted a new title sponsor, as SSE Airtricity agreed a two-year renewal of their existing deal with the (men's) League of Ireland and extended it to also cover the WNL.{{cite news |last1=O'Halloran |first1=Rob |title=Huge boost for Irish football as LOI and WNL land new title sponsorship deal |url=https://extra.ie/2021/01/20/sport/soccernews/league-of-ireland-sponsorship-deal |access-date=7 December 2021 |work=Extra.ie |publisher=DMG Media |date=20 January 2021}} The Bank of Ireland also signed a three-year deal as an associate sponsor of the League of Ireland and WNL.{{cite news |title=Bank of Ireland signs on as Associate LOI Sponsor |url=https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/bank-of-ireland-signs-on-as-associate-loi-sponsor |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |date=4 February 2021}}

• League of Ireland Women's Under 17 Division

{{Reflist}}

• [http://wnl.fai.ie/ Official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110211221633/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=irl/women/index.html League] at uefa.com

{{Women's National League (Ireland)}}

{{Women's association football in the Republic of Ireland}}

{{Football in Ireland}}

{{Top sport leagues in Ireland}}

{{UEFA women's leagues}}

{{Top level women's association football leagues around the world}}

{{Authority control}}

Ireland

Category:Sports leagues established in 2011

Category:2011 establishments in Ireland

Category:Professional sports leagues in Ireland