Women's National League (Ireland)

Women's National League (Ireland)
Country Ireland
Confederation UEFA
Founded 2011
Number of teams 7
Level on pyramid 1
Domestic cup(s) FAI Women's Cup
International cup(s) UEFA Champions League
Current champions Raheny United
(2013–14)
Website Official

The Women's National League (Irish: Sraith Náisiúnta na mBan; known as Continental Tyres Women's National League for sponsorship reasons) is the national women's football league in the Republic of Ireland. It was announced in August 2011 and started in November 2011.[1][2] The winner qualifies for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[3]

The league's inaugural winner was Peamount United.[4] More recently Raheny United has won two championships.

History

At one of its 2010 Meetings, UEFA decided to support each nation with €100,000 per its Women's Football Development Programme.[5] Ireland as one of four nations received an additional €50,000 to create a national football league.[6][7] Until 2011 there had been no national league in Ireland. On 28 September 2011 Bus Éireann were unveiled as the league's title sponsor.[8] After that the title sponsor was Continental.

In 2015 the FAI sent out invitations to clubs in an effort to expand the league.[9]

Sponsorship

From the start to end of the 2013–14 season the league was sponsored by Bus Éireann. On 20 August 2014, at the Aviva Stadium, Continental Tyres was unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Women's National League.[10] Sponsorship of the Women's National League is the company's first involvement with soccer in Ireland.

2014/15 teams

Originally seven clubs were invited to the league.[2] The option for more clubs to enter was given though.[11] Shortly before the start of the league Bray Wanderers/St. Joseph's pulled out due to lack of competitive players. Thus the following six teams played the inaugural season: Peamount United, Castlebar Celtic FC, Cork Women's FC, Raheny United, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford Youths Women's AFC.[12] DLR Waves joined the League in the second season.[13] Galway WFC joined the league in the third season.

For the 2014/15 season Cork Women's FC joined with Cork City FC to form Cork City Women's FC. Also DLR Waves joined the University team and now plays as UCD Waves. Shamrock Rovers left the league, so that seven teams play each other.[14]

Castlebar Celtic
Wexford Youths
Dublin
Locations of Premier Division teams
Team Location StadiumManager
Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic ParkAdrian Carberry
Cork City WFC Cork Bishopstown Stadium Charlie Lynch
Galway WFC Galway Eamon Deacy Park Don O'Riordan
Peamount United Dublin (Newcastle) GreenogueRobbie Mulligan
Raheny United Dublin (Santry) Morton StadiumCasey McQuillan
UCD Waves Kilternan Jackson Park Eileen Gleeson
Wexford Youths Crossabeg Ferrycarrig Park William Doyle

Format

The teams play each other three times for a total of 18 matches per team. A draw decides whether a team plays another twice at home or twice away. The first tie-breaker for league position is goal-difference, but should two teams be tied on points for first place at the end of the season, a play-off match for the title is held.[15][16]

Champions

Year Winner Runners-up Third place Top scorer Goals
2011–12 Peamount United Raheny United Cork Women's F.C. Stephanie Roche (Peamount) 24[17]
2012–13 Raheny United Peamount United Wexford Youths Women's AFC Sara Lawlor (Peamount) 28[18]
2013–14 Raheny United Peamount United Wexford Youths Women's AFC Aine O'Gorman (Peamount) 23
2014–15 Wexford Youths

League Cup

A League cup is also played yearly. In 2012 Peamount won the final 1–0 against Shamrock Rovers.[19] They defended that title the next year with a 6–3 win over Castlebar Celtic.[20] Wexford Youths Women's won in 2014 3–0 over Castlebar Celtic.[21]

Year Winner Result Runner-up
2012 Peamount United 1–0 Shamrock Rovers
2013 Peamount United 6–3 Castlebar Celtic
2014 Wexford Youths Women's 3–0 Shamrock Rovers
2015 Raheny United 3–2 a.e.t. Peamount United

References

  1. ↑ "FAI announce new Women's League". RTÉ Sport. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Line-up for new Women's National League confirmed". fai.ie. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "Irish women's league to launch". UEFA. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "Peamount Utd win inaugural Bus Éireann Women's National League title". fai.ie. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Executive Committee approves HatTrick III". UEFA. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "UEFA training visit aids Azerbaijan women's U16s". UEFA. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Dusseldorf women's seminar hears positive notes". womensworldcup2011.net. 16 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Bus Éireann announced as sponsor of Women's National League". FAI.ie. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "FAI seeks National League Newcomers". shekicks.net. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  10. ↑ http://wnl.fai.ie/news/341-continental-tyres-become-wnl-sponsors.html
  11. ↑ "Expressions of interest sought for Women's National League". fai.ie. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  12. ↑ "UEFA funding helps women's national football league launch in Republic of Ireland". UEFA. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "2012/13 season kicks off". wnl.fai.ie. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Fixtures 2014-15 announced". wnl.fai.ie. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "Peamount crowned Champions". wnl.fai.ie. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  16. ↑ http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/9834
  17. ↑ "Season Statistics". wnl.fai.ie. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  18. ↑ "Season Statistics". Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Peamount are crowned Bus Eireann Women's League Cup Final Winners". wnl.fai.ie. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "Peamount retain League Cup title". shekicks.net. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  21. ↑ http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/9972

External links