Hubbry Logo
League of Ireland Women's Premier DivisionLeague of Ireland Women's Premier DivisionMain
Open search
League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
Community hub
League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
First season2023
Country Ireland
ConfederationUEFA
Number of clubs12
Domestic cupFAI Women's Cup
International cupUEFA Champions League
Current championsAthlone Town (2nd title)
Most championshipsPeamount United
Wexford
(4 titles each)
Broadcaster(s)TG4 (Domestic)
LOITV (Global)
Websiteleagueofireland.ie
Current: 2025 Women's Premier Division

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division (sponsor name SSE Airtricity League Women's Premier Division) is a professional women's association football league in Ireland, organised by the League of Ireland, which began play in the 2023 season. The league consists of eleven teams, eight of which owned by clubs with men's teams in the League of Ireland's Premier Division or First Division. The winners of the league qualify for the first round of the UEFA Women's Champions League in the following season.

The Women's Premier Division is the fourth incarnation of a national women's league at the highest level of the Republic of Ireland football league system, and the first fully-professional incarnation. It is the successor to the FAI and FAIW-run Ladies League of Ireland, which ran in two incarnations from 1973 to 1979, and from 1987 to 1989; and Women's National League (Irish: Sraith Náisiúnta na mBan), which ran from 2011 to 2022.

History

[edit]

Women's League of Ireland

[edit]

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.[1][2] 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.[3] Evergreen (Kilkenny) withdrew after losing their first three games,[4] although a Kilkenny team did compete in the 1974 season.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

By 1979 the Ladies League of Ireland featured seven teams with approximately 120 active players.[8] 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.[9][10][11] Eamonn Darcy, a former manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national football team, served as vice-president of the league.[12] The revived league was sponsored by Hotpoint and Cork Rangers were the 1987 champions.[13] Dublin Castle were the 1988 champions after defeating Greenpark (Limerick) 3–1 in a play-off.[14] However the revived Ladies League of Ireland lasted just three seasons and was abandoned in 1989.[15]

In 1996 there was an unsuccessful attempt to launch a third Ladies League of Ireland.[16][17] Proposed members included a Mayo Ladies League representative team[18] and Longford Strikers.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21] 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.

Women's National League

[edit]

The 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.[22][23] The league was launched with financial support from UEFA.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26] The following two seasons, 2012–13 and 2013–14, saw Raheny United finish as league champions.[27][28] 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.[29][30] Footage of the goal was uploaded to the internet by team manager Eileen Gleeson as the matches were not televised.[31] 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[32] with 33% of the vote. In 2014–15 Wexford Youths were league champions and[33] in 2015–16 they retained the title after defeating Shelbourne Ladies in a play-off.[34]

Summer League & Professionalism

[edit]

In 2016 a shortened transitional season was played from August to December where each team played 14 matches.[35] From 2017 the league was restructured into a summer league, while a possible new team from Sligo entered into talks to join.[36]

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.[37] In late 2022, ahead of the 2023 season, the league announced the introduction of professional contracts, with the same minimum wage regulations as male players in the League of Ireland. This change also enabled the introduction of loan players into the WNL from other professional leagues. Although professional contracts were subject to a minimum wage, they were not mandatory and clubs retained the option to register full-time, part-time or amateur players.[38][39]

Expansions, name changes and withdrawals

[edit]

DLR Waves joined the league in 2012–13[40] and Galway were added for the 2013–14 season.[41] Before the 2014–15 season Cork Women's F.C. were taken over by FORAS/Cork City and as a result were renamed Cork City W.F.C.[42] It was also announced that DLR Waves and UCD's senior women's team would join forces and become known as UCD Waves.[43] Shamrock Rovers also withdrew from the league, leaving seven teams to play each other.[44] In January 2015 the FAI sent out invitations to clubs in an effort to expand the league.[45] This resulted in Kilkenny United joining the league for the 2015–16 season.[46] 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.[47] Before the 2015–16 season was finished Castlebar Celtic withdrew from league because they were unable to field a team.[48][49]

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.[50] Both teams and Athlone Town joined the WNL for the first time that year.[51] 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 from 60 matches in the last three seasons).[52]

In December 2021, Sligo Rovers announced they would join the senior level of the Women's National League for the upcoming 2022 season, having previously competed at U-17 and U-19 level. This brought the league's total membership up to ten clubs.[53]

In November 2022, the WNL announced that Shamrock Rovers and Galway United would enter teams for the 2023 season after confirming earlier in September that Galway W.F.C would not participate.[54][55]

In late 2024, Waterford confirmed they had been awarded a licence to enter a women's team for the 2025 season.[56]

Teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Locations of Premier Division teams
2025 League of Ireland Women's Premier Division teams
Club Town / City Stadium Capacity
Athlone Town Athlone Athlone Town Stadium 5,000
Bohemians Dublin (Phibsborough) Dalymount Park 4,900
Cork City Cork Turner's Cross 7,485
DLR Waves Dublin (Dún Laoghaire) UCD Bowl 3,000
Galway United Galway Eamonn Deacy Park 5,000
Peamount United Dublin (Newcastle) Greenogue N/A
Shamrock Rovers Dublin (Tallaght) Tallaght Stadium 8,000
Shelbourne Dublin (Drumcondra) Tolka Park 4,400
Sligo Rovers Sligo The Showgrounds 3,873
Treaty United Limerick Markets Field 4,500
Waterford Waterford RSC 5,160
Wexford Crossabeg Ferrycarrig Park 2,500

Television Coverage

[edit]

TG4 became the first national broadcaster to cover the league, agreeing a deal in September 2021 to show four live matches free-to-air.[57] The first live game was broadcast from Tolka Park on 2 October 2021 with hosts Shelbourne beating DLR Waves 1-0 and Alex Kavanagh scoring the only goal.[58] By 2024, coverage on TG4 had expanded to 12 live matches a season with games available globally via the league's own TV channel, LOITV.[59] In 2025, TG4 increased coverage of the Women's Premier Division to 13 live matches per season.[60]

Sponsorship

[edit]

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.[61][62] On 5 March 2019 the ninth season of the Women's National League was launched and Só Hotels unveiled as the new sponsors.[63] In 2020 the League lacked a title sponsor, as Só Hotels did not renew their agreement from the previous season.[64] Barretstown were announced as a "charity partner" on 24 July 2020.[65]

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.[66] The Bank of Ireland also signed a three-year deal as an associate sponsor of the League of Ireland and WNL.[67]

Period Sponsor Brand
2011–2013 Bus Éireann Bus Éireann Women's National League
2014–2018 Continental Tyres Continental Tyres Women's National League
2019 Só Hotels Só Hotels Women's National League
2020 – Women's National League
2021– SSE Airtricity SSE Airtricity Women's National League

Champions

[edit]
Year Winner Runners-up Third place Top scorer Goals
2011–12 Peamount United (1) Raheny United Cork Women's F.C. Stephanie Roche (Peamount United) 24[68]
2012–13 Raheny United (1) Peamount United Wexford Youths Sara Lawlor (Peamount United) 28[69]
2013–14 Raheny United (2) Peamount United Wexford Youths Stephanie Roche (Peamount United) [70][71]
2014–15 Wexford Youths (1) UCD Waves Raheny United Áine O'Gorman (UCD Waves) 25[72]
2015–16 Wexford Youths (2) Shelbourne UCD Waves Áine O'Gorman (UCD Waves) 17[73]
2016 Shelbourne (1) UCD Waves Peamount United Amber Barrett (Peamount United) 16[74]
2017 Wexford Youths (3) Peamount United Shelbourne Amber Barrett (Peamount United) 16[75]
2018 Wexford Youths (4) Shelbourne Peamount United Amber Barrett (Peamount United) 30[76]
2019 Peamount United (2) Shelbourne Wexford Youths Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths) 26
2020 Peamount United (3) Shelbourne Wexford Youths Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) 14[77]
2021 Shelbourne (2) Peamount United Wexford Youths Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) 16[78]
2022 Shelbourne (3) Athlone Town Peamount United Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) 22[79]
2023 Peamount United (4) Shelbourne Shamrock Rovers Dana Scheriff (Athlone) 13
2024 Athlone Town (1) Shelbourne Galway United Jenna Slattery (Galway) 10
2025 Athlone Town (2) Shelbourne Galway United
[edit]

WNL Cup

[edit]
Year Winner Result Runner-up Venue
2011–12[26] Peamount United 1–0 Shamrock Rovers Tallaght Stadium
2012–13[80] Peamount United 6–3 Castlebar Celtic Milebush Park, Castlebar
2013–14[81] Wexford Youths 3–0 Castlebar Celtic Ferrycarrig Park[82]
2014–15[83] Raheny United 3–2 (a.e.t.) Peamount United Tolka Park
2015–16[84] Shelbourne 3–2 UCD Waves Richmond Park
2017[85] Shelbourne 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 pen.)		 Peamount United Greenogue
2018[86] Peamount United 2–1 Wexford Youths Ferrycarrig Park
2019[87] Shelbourne 1–0 Wexford Youths Ferrycarrig Park
2020 Deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic[88]

WNL Shield

[edit]
Year Winner Result Runner-up Venue
2015–16 Wexford Youths 1–0[89] Shelbourne Ferrycarrig Park

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

League of Ireland Women's Premier Division

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division, also known as the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division of in the , featuring 12 teams that compete in a single league table. It was established in 2023 as the top tier within the structure, succeeding the Women's National League (WNL), which had operated nationally from 2011 to 2022 after earlier regional and short-lived national iterations dating back to the inaugural Ladies League of Ireland in 1973. The league is governed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) through the , with the season typically running from to and consisting of 33 matches per team, as each club plays every other twice at home and once away (or vice versa). The 12 participating clubs for the 2025 season are Athlone Town, Bohemians, Cork City, DLR Waves, Galway United, Peamount United, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers, Treaty United, Waterford, and Wexford. The winners qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League first qualifying round, while the league aims to expand its pyramid with the introduction of a Women's Development League as a second tier starting in 2026, featuring 22 teams divided into two regional groups of 11. Athlone Town became the first club to win consecutive titles, claiming the championship in both 2024 and 2025, with the latter secured via a 4-0 victory over Cork City on the final day. The competition has seen growing media coverage, including live broadcasts on TG4, and emphasizes professional development amid rising participation in Irish women's football.

History

Early Development (1973–1989)

The Ladies League of Ireland was established in 1973 by the newly formed Ladies Football Association of Ireland (LFAI), marking the first organized national competition for women's football in the country. Initially independent of the (FAI), the league invited twelve clubs to participate, but only eight accepted, including teams from , Limerick, Sligo Rovers, and Dublin-based Avengers. The inaugural season began on March 4, 1973, with Cahir Park defeating Elms United 1-0, and Limerick emerged as the first champions. Structured as an amateur competition with no professional elements, it emphasized participation among regional clubs, primarily drawn from local communities and workplaces, without any integration into structures. The league operated for seven seasons through 1979, gradually contracting to seven teams and around 120 active players by its final year, reflecting the amateur nature and reliance on support. Key challenges included persistent lack of and limited administrative resources, which hampered expansion and sustainability despite successes like Limerick's consecutive titles in 1973 and 1974. These financial constraints ultimately led to the league's dissolution in 1979, as the LFAI struggled to maintain operations amid broader societal and institutional barriers to . Between 1979 and 2011, women's football continued through regional leagues, such as the Women's Soccer League established in the 1990s. In 1987, the competition was relaunched as the Women's League of Ireland under LFAI auspices, starting in with eight teams such as Cork Rangers, , and Greenpark Rangers, and matches played in 2x40-minute formats. It ran for three seasons, with Cork Rangers winning in 1987 and claiming the 1989 title after a 3-1 final victory over Greenpark. Focused on regional clubs without professional infrastructure or ties, the league faced ongoing administrative issues, including coordination difficulties between the LFAI and FAI, leading to its abandonment after 1989. This period represented a short-lived revival of national structures, paving the way for later developments in women's football.

Establishment and Growth of the Women's National League (2011–2022)

The Women's National League (WNL) was established by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in 2011 as the first national league for women's senior football in the , marking a significant step toward professionalizing the sport at the domestic level. Sponsored initially by , the league launched its inaugural 2011–12 season in November with a winter schedule, featuring six founding teams: Peamount United, Castlebar Celtic, Cork Women's FC, United, Rovers, and Wexford Youths Women's AFC. Originally, seven clubs had been invited to participate, but Bray Wanderers/St. Joseph's withdrew shortly before the start, leaving the competition with a compact format of 10 matches per team. Peamount United emerged as the first champions, finishing atop the table and securing qualification for the . The league's early growth was characterized by gradual expansions and structural adjustments to enhance competitiveness and geographic representation. In the 2012–13 season, UCD Waves joined as the seventh team, bringing the total to seven and introducing stronger Dublin-based competition. The following year, 2013–14, saw further development with the addition of Galway WFC, expanding the league to eight teams and aligning the schedule with the men's by shifting to a summer calendar starting in August. This change from the initial winter format aimed to reduce fixture clashes with international commitments and improve player availability. Raheny United dominated this period, claiming back-to-back titles in 2012–13 and 2013–14, while the league maintained a straightforward round-robin structure without playoffs. By the mid-2010s, the WNL continued to evolve through team changes and format innovations, reflecting increasing investment in women's football. The 2014–15 season operated with seven teams after Rovers withdrew, but stability returned in 2015–16 when Shelbourne Ladies entered via a merger with United, effectively taking over their place and bolstering the league's presence. Kilkenny United also joined that year, replacing Celtic to maintain seven teams, while Wexford Youths secured their second title. A pivotal change came in 2016 with the introduction of for the first time; the winner faced the second-placed team in a one-off final, where Wexford Youths defeated Shelbourne 2–1 to claim the championship in a historic decider. This format added excitement and was retained in subsequent seasons. In 2017, Wexford Youths rebranded to across both men's and women's sections, symbolizing the club's integration into the broader ecosystem without altering the team count. The league's expansion accelerated toward the end of the decade, reaching a peak of nine teams in 2020 with the additions of Bohemians and Treaty United, followed by a tenth team in 2022 as Sligo Rovers entered, enhancing regional diversity across Ireland. This growth from six to ten teams over the period underscored rising participation and FAI support, with clubs like Peamount United and Shelbourne achieving multiple titles—Peamount winning in 2011–12, 2019, and 2020, and Shelbourne in 2016, 2021, and 2022. However, the league faced significant disruptions from the ; the 2020 season was abbreviated to just six matches per team due to lockdowns, while 2021 saw delayed starts and condensed fixtures, testing the resilience of the semi-professional setup but ultimately preserving competitive integrity through adaptive scheduling by the FAI.

Professionalization and Rebranding (2023–present)

In late 2022, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the rebranding of the SSE Airtricity Women's National League (WNL) to the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, effective for the 2023 season, to align it more closely with the men's structure under a unified brand. This integration aimed to elevate the women's league's visibility and resources within the national football framework. A pivotal aspect of this professionalization was the introduction of professional contracts for players starting December 1, 2022, marking the first time such agreements were available in the top tier of Irish women's football. These contracts provided a minimum wage of €430 per week, equivalent to that in the men's , and were funded through FAI investments alongside sponsorship contributions. The move enabled clubs to offer full-time roles, improving player welfare, training standards, and competitive depth. The 2023 season represented the inaugural professional edition under the new branding, featuring 11 teams following the 2022 additions of Sligo Rovers and Treaty United, with further expansions including Shamrock Rovers (re-entry) and Galway United. Peamount United clinched the title, their fourth in the competition's history, underscoring the league's growing competitiveness. This period also saw a significant surge in attendance, with overall figures rising approximately 41% to 33,840 spectators and average crowds increasing 57% to 308 per match, reflecting heightened investment and public interest. The league maintained 11 teams in 2024, when Athlone Town secured their first championship with a 2-0 victory over Bohemians. Athlone Town retained the title in 2025, defeating Cork City 4-0 to become only the fifth team to win back-to-back crowns. Waterford FC's entry expanded the division to 12 teams for the 2025 campaign, further broadening regional representation. Post-2023 developments have included sustained investment, such as SSE Airtricity's extended sponsorship and increased , supporting infrastructure and player development. Attendance continued to grow, with the women's division recording a 169% increase from 2022 levels by 2023, contributing to the League of Ireland's overall economic impact of €164.7 million annually. In September 2025, the FAI announced the launch of a Women's Development League for the 2026 season, featuring reserve teams from all 12 Division clubs alongside 10 additional teams, for a total of 22 teams divided into north and south divisions in an under-23 format to enhance pathways for emerging talent. This initiative expands the league pyramid and aligns with ongoing efforts to professionalize and sustain growth in Irish women's football.

League Format

Competition Structure

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division features 12 teams in the 2025 season, competing in a single round-robin format where each team plays every other team twice—once at home and once away—for a total of 22 matches per team. The team accumulating the most points is declared the champion, with no playoffs contested since the league's rebranding and professionalization in 2023. This structure emphasizes consistent performance over the full campaign, aligning with the league's focus on sustainability and player development. The 2025 season marked the first with 12 teams, following the addition of Waterford. The season operates on a summer schedule from to /November to synchronize with international fixtures and avoid winter weather disruptions; the 2025 edition specifically ran from 8 to 11 . A win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 points. For teams tied on points, rankings are decided first by , followed by results from head-to-head matches between the tied teams. The adoption of this summer format dates back to 2013, marking a shift from the previous winter schedule to better integrate with global calendars. All players must be officially registered with the Football Association of (FAI) to be eligible for participation. Since 2023, the league has mandated professional status for clubs, enabling the use of standard player contracts with stipulations to support full-time commitments. Disciplinary procedures follow the FAI's standardized codes, which outline sanctions for misconduct, ensuring fair play and consistency across all matches.

Promotion, Relegation, and Regulations

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division currently operates without an automatic promotion or relegation system, with team participation determined primarily through successful applications for club licensing rather than competitive outcomes from lower divisions. For instance, was granted entry to the league for the 2020 season following the removal of Kilkenny United W.F.C. due to failure to meet licensing criteria related to financial stability. Similarly, Limerick W.F.C. withdrew from the league after the 2020 season amid financial difficulties, leading to the formation of Treaty United Women to represent the region starting in 2021. These cases highlight how financial and administrative compliance, rather than on-field results, have historically influenced league composition. Looking ahead, the introduction of the Women's Development League in is set to establish a structured second tier beneath the Premier Division, with pathways planned to be implemented following the inaugural season, pending review. This development, endorsed by UEFA's Women's League Development Fund, aims to create a clearer progression route for clubs from regional and lower-level competitions into the professional top flight. The league's operations are overseen by the League of Ireland board, a subcommittee of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which enforces a comprehensive club licensing framework to ensure sustainability and professionalism. Licensing criteria, aligned with standards, require clubs to demonstrate adequate facilities, including a certified with floodlighting and at least one full-size training pitch with dressing rooms; robust financial reporting, such as audited statements, budgets, and declarations of no overdue payables to employees, taxes, or other clubs; and sporting infrastructure, including UEFA-qualified coaching staff. Breaches of these requirements can result in sanctions like fines, points deductions, or exclusion from the league. A key regulatory focus is youth development, mandating that licensed clubs maintain an approved academy program with dedicated Under-19 and Under-17 teams, including qualified head coaches (minimum B Licence), medical screening for players, and a budgeted development plan to foster talent pathways. This structure supports the league's emphasis on long-term growth, with all 12 current Premier Division clubs now subject to these licensing obligations as of 2023.

Teams

Current Teams (2025 Season)

The Women's Premier Division in 2025 expanded to 12 teams for the first time, incorporating newcomers alongside established clubs from across . This season saw Athlone Town retain their title as champions, topping the standings with 55 points from 22 matches, including 17 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss. The league's growth reflects ongoing , with teams competing in a 22-match regular season format. The current teams, their locations, founding years for the women's sections, home grounds, and notable recent achievements are summarized below.
TeamLocationFounded (Women's Team)Home GroundRecent Achievements
Athlone Town, 2017Athlone Town Stadium2025 and 2024 champions; 2025 FAI Women's Cup winners; topped 2025 standings with 55 points.
Bohemians2014Consistent mid-table finishers; runners-up in the 2025 FAI Women's Cup.
Cork CityCork1984 (rebranded 2014)Turners CrossFinished 12th in 2025; promoted focus on youth development post-relegation battles.
DLR Waves, 1995 (Belfield)2025 season highlight included key home wins; known for academy integration.
Galway UnitedGalway2013 (joined 2023)Third place in 2025; strong away record with 14 wins overall.
Peamount UnitedNewcastle, 2010GreenogueFour-time champions (2011/12, 2019, 2020, 2023); sixth in 2025 with 36 points.
Shamrock RoversTallaght, 1996Fifth in 2025; multiple cup contenders with 20 goals scored.
Shelbourne2020 (post-merger)Runners-up in 2025; three-time champions (2016, 2021, 2022).
Sligo RoversSligo2023The ShowgroundsJoined in 2023 expansion; 10th in 2025 with focus on regional development.
Treaty UnitedLimerick2020 (joined 2020)8th in 2025 with 33 points; notable for competitive mid-season form.
WaterfordWaterford2023Waterford Regional Sports CentreDebutants in 2025; 11th place with 12 points, emphasizing first-season growth.
WexfordCrossabeg, 1912 (women's since 2007)Ferrycarrig ParkFourth in 2025; four-time champions (2014/15–2018).

Former and Merged Teams

Several teams have exited the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division through withdrawals, often due to financial constraints or operational challenges, which have periodically affected the league's structure and stability. Bray Wanderers, in partnership with St Joseph's, was initially set to join the league upon its establishment in 2011 but withdrew before the season commenced owing to insufficient playing resources. Castlebar Celtic participated from the league's inaugural 2011–12 season until withdrawing midway through the 2015–16 campaign, citing an inability to field a competitive team amid regional participation declines. Kilkenny United joined in 2015 and competed until their removal by the FAI ahead of the 2020 season, primarily attributed to unresolved financial issues that left the club feeling unsupported by league authorities. Limerick WFC entered in 2018 but ceased operations following the parent club's bankruptcy and liquidation in late 2019, ending their brief stint after just two seasons. These withdrawals, particularly those of Kilkenny United and Limerick in 2020, temporarily reduced the league to nine teams, highlighting vulnerabilities in club sustainability and prompting calls for enhanced financial support mechanisms. Mergers and rebrands have also reshaped the league by consolidating resources and preserving competitive spots. United, league champions in 2013 and 2014, merged their senior women's team with Shelbourne Ladies in 2015, allowing Shelbourne to inherit 's position and bolstering the Dublin club's competitiveness. Devon, one of the founding members in 2011, rebranded as Galway WFC in 2013 before evolving into Galway United Women in 2023, reflecting efforts to align with regional football infrastructure and secure long-term viability. UCD Waves emerged from a 2014 merger between Dublin's women's team and DLR Waves, competing under that name until 2018 when UCD withdrew; DLR Waves was then revived as a standalone entity, maintaining the league presence with ongoing ties to UCD's academy. Similarly, Cork Women's FC affiliated with in 2014 and fully merged by 2018, integrating the women's program into the senior club's operations and contributing to Cork's title wins in 2016 and 2018. These changes underscore the league's challenges in retaining independent clubs, with no automatic promotions from lower tiers occurring until the anticipated introduction of structured pathways via the Women's Development League in 2026.

Seasons and Champions

Season Format and Results Overview

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division operates on a double round-robin format, where each team plays every other team twice—once at home and once away—over a season typically spanning to , culminating in a determined by total points. This structure, consistent since the league's establishment as the Women's National League in and its rebranding to the Premier Division in 2023, accommodates 7 to 12 teams depending on the year, with the 2025 season featuring 12 clubs. By the end of the 2025 season, the league had completed 15 seasons since 2011, showcasing steady evolution amid challenges and growth. Average goals per match have hovered around 3.0 across this period, with notable variation: 3.39 in 2022, 2.99 in 2023 amid transitional changes, and a rise to 3.52 in 2025. Attendance trends reflect burgeoning popularity, increasing from a total of 23,907 across the season in 2022 (averaging 196 per game) to 33,840 in 2023 (averaging 308 per game) and reaching an average of 261 per game in 2025 despite a slight dip in per-game figures due to expanded fixtures. The introduction of professional contracts in 2023 has driven approximately a 15% uptick in scoring rates post-reform, attributed to enhanced training and player quality, though exact causation remains tied to broader investment. Key events have shaped the league's trajectory, including the adoption of playoffs in 2016 to decide the title among top teams, a system that added drama but was discontinued in 2023 to streamline the format amid professionalization efforts. Earlier seasons with fewer teams often featured additional rounds beyond double round-robin to extend play. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were significantly shortened by the , with 2020 delayed until August and reduced rounds, while 2021 featured postponed matches and biosecure protocols. The 2025 season marked a milestone with broadcasting a record 13 live games, directly correlating to elevated viewership and contributing to sustained attendance growth beyond pre-pandemic levels. These developments underscore the league's resilience and rising competitiveness, particularly in the 2023–25 era where titles rotated among established powers like Peamount United and emerging challengers like Athlone Town.

List of Champions and Title Holders

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division has crowned a variety of champions since its launch as the Women's National League in 2011, with Dublin-based clubs featuring prominently in the early years before a broader distribution of success in recent seasons. The competition's title holders reflect the growth of women's football in , with several clubs achieving multiple victories and periods of dominance. Peamount United and Wexford share the record for the most titles with four each, while Shelbourne has three. The following table lists all league champions, including runners-up where applicable, based on official records.
SeasonChampionRunners-up
2011–12Peamount UnitedRaheny United
2012–13Raheny UnitedPeamount United
2013–14Raheny UnitedPeamount United
2014–15Wexford YouthsShelbourne
2015–16Wexford YouthsShelbourne
2016ShelbourneUCD Waves
2017Wexford YouthsPeamount United
2018WexfordShelbourne
2019Peamount UnitedShelbourne
2020Peamount UnitedShelbourne
2021ShelbourneWexford Youths
2022ShelbourneAthlone Town
2023Peamount UnitedShelbourne
2024Athlone TownShelbourne
2025Athlone TownShelbourne
Wexford's two consecutive titles from 2017 to 2018 represent one of the longest streaks in the league's history, matched by United from 2012–13 to 2013–14. Peamount United's 2023 victory marked the first title under the fully professionalized Premier Division format, following the league's rebranding and increased professionalization efforts. Athlone Town became the latest multiple title holder with back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025.

Broadcasting and Sponsorship

Television and Streaming Coverage

Television and streaming coverage for the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division has evolved significantly since the league's inception, transitioning from minimal broadcasts to a more accessible model that supports growing viewership. Prior to 2021, coverage was virtually nonexistent, with matches primarily accessible through local radio or in-person attendance. aired the first live Women's Premier Division game on October 2, 2021, featuring Shelbourne's 1-0 victory over DLR Waves at , marking the beginning of national exposure. This partnership expanded modestly in subsequent years, with broadcasting 12 matches in 2023 as part of its third consecutive season of coverage. By 2024, the number of live broadcasts increased to 12 games per season, reflecting heightened interest in women's football. In 2025, coverage reached a record level, with extending its partnership to broadcast 13 live Women's Premier Division matches, an increase from the previous year's 12, alongside the Women's All-Island Cup Final. These games are aired on 's Spórt TG4 channel, Sacar Beo, enhancing domestic accessibility. Complementing this, LOITV, the official streaming platform of the , provides global coverage of all Women's Premier Division fixtures, available via a season pass priced at €99 or monthly subscriptions starting at €9.99. LOITV's international streaming extends reach to viewers worldwide, supporting the league's ambition for broader audiences beyond . Additionally, Television's exclusive four-year deal includes 36 live games annually. The 2025 season launch emphasized potential for record audiences, driven by expanded broadcasts and the league's expansion to 12 teams. Viewership metrics underscore this growth; in 2024, average audiences for Women's Premier Division games rose 70% to 14,533 viewers per match, contributing to a total of 4.2 million viewers across all games. Key fixtures have drawn even larger numbers, highlighting the increasing appeal and impact of the coverage on fan engagement.

Sponsors and Commercial Partnerships

The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division has benefited from a series of title sponsorships that have provided financial stability and branding visibility since the competition's inception as the Women's National League in 2011. served as the inaugural sponsor from 2011 until 2014, supporting the league's early development and helping to establish its structure with initial funding for operations and promotion. Continental Tyres took over as title sponsor in 2014 under a multi-year agreement with of Ireland (FAI), rebranding the league as the Continental Tyres Women's National League and extending support through 2018; this partnership emphasized road safety initiatives alongside football development, contributing to increased participation and visibility for women's soccer in Ireland. SO Hotel Group served as title sponsor from 2019 to 2020, rebranding the league as the SO Hotel Women's National League. Since 2021, has been the title sponsor in a multi-year deal, unifying branding with the men's leagues for the first time and renaming the competition the Women's Premier Division—a designation that continued into the 2025 season. This sponsorship has played a key role in funding league-wide initiatives, including the introduction of professional player contracts starting in the 2023 season, which enabled clubs to offer full-time deals and elevated the competition's professionalism. In addition to the central title sponsorship, individual clubs pursue their own commercial partnerships to bolster local funding and branding. For instance, Peamount United secured sponsorship from IP Telecom for its senior women's team in 2023, supporting training and match-day resources through targeted telecommunications services. These club-level deals adhere to FAI guidelines on branding, which regulate sponsor logos on kits to ensure consistency with league identity while allowing space for team-specific commercial elements. The cumulative impact of these sponsorships has driven commercial expansion, with SSE Airtricity's involvement helping to double for the Women's Premier Division to €110,000 in and supporting broader growth across league clubs, including enhanced merchandise and attendance-driven income post-2023. This funding model has also indirectly bolstered efforts by allocating resources for production and distribution.

Domestic Cup Competitions

The domestic cup competitions associated with the Women's Premier Division offer Premier Division teams pathways to additional trophies, often integrating with the league schedule to heighten competition and provide qualification routes to European events. These tournaments, administered by the Football Association of (FAI) and the , emphasize and group formats that test team depth and resilience alongside regular season play. The FAI Women's Cup stands as the flagship domestic knockout competition in Irish women's football, launched in 1975 as an open tournament accessible to clubs from all divisions, fostering inclusivity across the sport's pyramid. Its annual format features multiple rounds from early summer through autumn, culminating in a high-profile final that draws significant attendance and media attention. The winner earns a spot in the qualifying rounds, linking domestic success to international exposure. In the 2025 edition, Athlone Town claimed the title with a 3-2 victory over Bohemians at , securing their second FAI Women's Cup triumph and completing a league-cup double for the season. The WNL Cup, formally the Women's National League Cup or , serves as an exclusive competition for Premier Division sides, introduced in to coincide with the league's professional relaunch and expansion. Its structure has evolved, typically involving group stages followed by knockouts or a straight draw, allowing for competitive matches without extending far beyond the league calendar. This format promotes rivalries and squad rotation amid the demanding Premier Division schedule. The competition was last contested in 2019. The WNL Shield functions primarily as a pre-season or charity-oriented tournament, emphasizing community involvement and while offering early competitive minutes for Premier Division teams. Less regularly contested than the other cups, it last held a major edition in 2023, focusing on exhibition-style play to build momentum ahead of the main season. Its charitable aspect distinguishes it, with proceeds often supporting women's football development initiatives. The Shield's overlaps with league preparations can influence early-season form, as seen in past instances where winners carried momentum into regular play. Neither the WNL Cup nor Shield was held in 2025. Notable achievements in these competitions highlight their interconnectedness with the Premier Division; for instance, Town's 2025 league-cup double underscores how synchronized scheduling enables clubs to pursue multiple honors within a single campaign. Wexford FC has historically excelled, becoming the first club to win all major domestic women's trophies, including the Premier Division, FAI Women's Cup, WNL Cup, and WNL Shield.

International and All-Island Tournaments

The champions of the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division qualify for the qualifying rounds, representing the in Europe's premier women's club competition. This pathway has enabled Irish clubs to gain international exposure since the league's establishment in 2011, with participation helping to elevate player standards and tactical awareness against stronger European opponents. Although no Irish team has yet advanced to the competition's league phase, these outings provide crucial experience for domestic talent development and contribute to the league's growing reputation within . Early highlights include Peamount United's 2011/12 debut, where they topped their qualifying group to reach the round of 32—the furthest any Irish club has progressed—before falling to . Raheny United matched this achievement in 2013/14 by also advancing from qualifying. More recently, Wexford Youths entered the 2018/19 qualifiers as league champions, competing in Group 9 and facing Ajax (1-4 loss) and Þór/KA (0-3 loss), marking a notable step in the club's European journey despite elimination. In the 2021/22 season, Shelbourne, fresh off their domestic title, contested the first qualifying round in a three-team group against (0-2 loss) and (0-1 loss), finishing third but gaining valuable insights into high-level competition. These efforts underscore the league's role in fostering resilience, with recent campaigns like Athlone Town's 2025 qualifying run—where they defeated Cardiff City 4–0 and ZNK Agram 3–0 before losing 1–3 to Breiðablik, then advancing to the Women's Europa Cup where they fell 0–3 on aggregate to Glasgow City—demonstrating incremental progress. The Women's All-Island Cup, launched in 2023 by the Football Association of Ireland and the , bridges the divide between and women's football through an annual cross-border tournament. Featuring clubs from the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division and the Northern Ireland Women's Premiership, it promotes all-island collaboration and competitive balance, with a format typically involving group stages followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. The competition enhances player development by simulating inter-jurisdictional matches, offering a low-stakes yet high-intensity alternative to fixtures and helping to build cohesion across the island. In 2025, eight Premier Division teams joined four from the north in four groups of three, with the top teams advancing to knockouts; emerged as champions, securing a 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Bohemians after a 1-1 draw in the final at Ferrycarrig Park, drawing a record attendance of 2,201 spectators. This success highlighted the tournament's growing appeal and its potential to prepare teams for broader European challenges.

References

  1. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/womens/premier-division/
  2. https://www.extratime.com/leagueofireland/women/premier/teams/
  3. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ier-womchamp.html
  4. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/2023-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division-season-ready-kick/
  5. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0918/1534138-womens-development-league-to-launch-in-2026/
  6. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/womens-development-league-be-introduced-2026/
  7. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14660970512331390895
  8. https://betsapi.com/l/633/Republic-of-Ireland-National-League-Women
  9. https://www.sportinhistory.org/articles/limerick-ladies-celebrating-50-years-since-first
  10. https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/01f6-0e124ad9460b-b5e32d11ef76-1000--ireland-s-national-women-s-league-inaugurated/
  11. https://eirball.soccer/football-association-of-ireland-continental-tyres-womens-national-league-2011-2016/
  12. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30736547.html
  13. https://www.extratime.com/articles/14564/a-history-of-irish-clubs-in-the-womens-champions-league/
  14. https://www.fai.ie/latest/league-of-ireland-adds-women-E2-80-99s-premier-division-alongside-men-E2-80-99s-divisions-as-part-of/
  15. https://www.fai.ie/latest/professional-contracts-for-sse-airtricity-wnl-players/
  16. https://www.independent.ie/sport/womens-sport/fai-confirm-professional-contracts-for-womens-national-league-players-to-be-rolled-out-ahead-of-2023-season/42185201.html
  17. https://www.fai.ie/latest/new-teams-to-join-sse-airtricity-wnl-in-2023/
  18. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/peamount-united-win-2023-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/
  19. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1124/1418306-league-of-ireland-attendances-up-20-in-2023/
  20. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/athlone-town-crowned-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division-champions/
  21. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/athlone-town-retain-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/
  22. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0612/1454346-waterford-will-apply-to-join-womens-premier-division/
  23. https://businessplus.ie/news/sse-airtricity-loi-prize-money/
  24. https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/league-of-ireland-economic-impact/
  25. https://www.sseairtricity.com/ie/home/news/league-of-ireland-launches-2025
  26. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30982451.html
  27. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41707859.html
  28. https://www.fai.ie/about/governance/
  29. https://support.faiconnect.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2026-Womens-Club-Licensing-Manual.pdf
  30. https://d2w4iw8gs9jo14.cloudfront.net/2317/1898/7031/2025_Womens_Club_Licensing_Manual.pdf
  31. https://hersport.ie/2023/11/22/all-loiw-clubs-are-now-subject-to-licensing-what-does-it-mean-for-the-future-of-womens-football/
  32. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1019/1539396-womens-fai-cup-final-athlone-town-v-bohemians-updates/
  33. https://footystats.org/republic-of-ireland/womens-national-league
  34. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/womens/premier-division/clubs/
  35. https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/soccer/womens-premier-division/24505/tables/
  36. http://www.peamountutd.com/about-us/
  37. https://au.women.soccerway.com/national/ireland-republic/womens-national-league-/2025/regular-season/r85143/
  38. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/womens/premier-division/tables/
  39. https://www.betexplorer.com/football/ireland/national-league-women-2022/stats/
  40. https://eirball.soccer/football-association-of-ireland-sse-airtricity-league-of-ireland-womens-premier-division-2023/
  41. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/league-ireland-attendances-rise-20-percent-over-last-year/
  42. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2023/11/24/league-of-ireland-attendances-up-by-20-per-cent-as-nearly-1-million-attend-domestic-matches-in-2023/
  43. https://sportforbusiness.com/august-start-for-womens-national-league/
  44. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/2025-loi-fixtures-released/
  45. https://www.extratime.com/articles/32082/peamount-united-crowned-wloi-champions/
  46. https://www.extratime.com/articles/29960/new-tv-deal-for-womens-premier-division-as-first-four-televised-games-are-announced/
  47. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tg4-increases-live-tv-coverage-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/
  48. https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2025-2/tg4-kicks-off-record-womens-premier-division-coverage-this-weekend-on-sacar-beo/
  49. https://www.loitv.ie/
  50. https://sportforbusiness.com/league-of-ireland-average-viewing-figure-soars-by-42-per-cent/
  51. https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tv-audience-sse-airtricity-mens-premier-division-rises-42-percent-last-year/
  52. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40210805.html
  53. https://fr.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/01f6-0e124ad9460b-b5e32d11ef76-1000--ireland-s-national-women-s-league-inaugurated/
  54. https://www.sportspro.com/news/continental_becomes_major_sponsor_of_womens_soccer_in_ireland/
  55. https://www.tyrepress.com/2014/09/continental-title-sponsor-for-irish-womens-football-league/
  56. https://www.extratime.com/articles/22463/so-hotel-group-announced-as-new-title-sponsor-for-the-womens-national-league/
  57. https://www.the42.ie/sse-airtricity-league-of-ireland-womens-national-league-sponsorship-5330203-Jan2021/
  58. https://www.fai.ie/latest/league-of-ireland-to-introduce-professional-contracts-C2-A0-for-players-in-sse-airtricity/
  59. https://irishtechnews.ie/ip-telecom-announced-as-sponsors-of-peamount-united-womens-senior-team/
  60. https://d33kuhj6eu7i5b.cloudfront.net/9217/0245/4039/221208_League_of_Ireland_BASIC_Guidelines.pdf
  61. https://www.sseairtricity.com/ie/home/news/league-of-ireland-and-sse-airtricity-announce-rise-in-prize-money-ahead-of-2024-season
  62. https://www.sseairtricity.com/sponsorship
  63. https://www.fai.ie/competitions/
  64. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40748760.html
  65. https://www.fai.ie/latest/athlone-town-win-2025-sports-direct-womens-fai-cup/
  66. https://www.fai.ie/latest/wexford-win-2025-women/
  67. https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/match/2024743--ajax-vs-wexford/
  68. https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/history/seasons/2022/
  69. https://www.extratime.com/articles/36475/athlone-town-continue-their-uefa-womens-champions-league-campaign-in-the-netherlands-this-week/
  70. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0730/1526199-womens-champions-league-cardiff-v-athlone-updates/
  71. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68618974
  72. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0831/1531042-wexford-victorious-in-all-island-cup-final-on-penalties/
  73. https://wexfordfc.ie/women-win-2025-all-island-cup-final/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.