This evening it has been confirmed that the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League will welcome two new teams for the 2023 season.
Galway United and Shamrock Rovers have been invited to join the top tier of the women’s game at senior level to bring the total to 11 teams.
Galway United will naturally take over the slot vacated by Galway WFC, having said they will ensure the continued development of Women’s football in the region by keeping a team at both senior at underage, while Shamrock Rovers are both a newcomer next year and also are back having been involved during the early days of the league.
Change too is happening at underage level to develop the underage structure and keep the progression of women’s soccer alive in the country, Cobh Ramblers, Finn Harps, Galway United and Treaty United will enter teams for the new season in the EA SPORTS Women’s Under-19 National League.
Finn Harps have struck up a partnership with the Donegal Women’s League and the Inishowen Women’s League to provide an improved pathway for young female players in Donegal, while Cobh Ramblers have made great strides in developing their women’s football structure having played in the U17 League this season. The addition of the new teams will bring the total number in the WU19 tier up to 14.
It is a similar situation in the EA SPORTS Women’s Under-17 National League where Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Galway United, Longford Town and St Patrick’s Athletic will make it 19 teams overall.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.