{{Short description|Association football league in the Republic of Ireland}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox football league | name = League of Ireland Women's Premier Division | image = League of Ireland Women's Premier Division.png | first = 2023 | country = {{IRL}} | confed = UEFA | teams = 12 | champions = Athlone Town (2nd title) | most successful club = Peamount United<br/>Wexford<br/>(4 titles each) | domest_cup = FAI Women's Cup | confed_cup = UEFA Champions League | tv = TG4 (Domestic)<br> LOITV (Global) | website = [https://www.leagueofireland.ie/womens/premier-division/ leagueofireland.ie] | current = 2026 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 twelve teams, eight of which are 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''' ({{langx|ga|Sraith Náisiúnta na mBan}}), which ran from 2011 to 2022.
==History==
===Women's League of Ireland=== 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.<ref name=1973final1>{{cite news|title=League of Ireland for Kilkenny|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=16 February 1973|page=15}}</ref><ref name=munsterexpress671973>{{cite news|title=Ladies Soccer|newspaper=Munster Express|date=6 July 1973|page=19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elms United Unlucky To Lose|newspaper=Connacht Tribune|date=9 March 1973|page=11}}</ref> Evergreen (Kilkenny) withdrew after losing their first three games,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ladies Win Well|newspaper=Connacht Tribune|date=23 April 1973|page=11}}</ref> although a Kilkenny team did compete in the 1974 season.<ref name=kilkenny2451974>{{cite news|title=Soccer crown for Kilkenny|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=24 May 1974|page=20}}</ref> 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.<ref name=munsterexpress641973>{{cite news|title=Ladies First|newspaper=Munster Express|date=6 April 1973|page=21}}</ref> 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.<ref name=examiner2281973>{{cite news|title=Limerick ladies suffer defeat|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=22 August 1973|page=12}}</ref>
By 1979 the Ladies League of Ireland featured seven teams with approximately 120 active players.<ref name=kilkenny2111979>{{cite news|title=How About Ladies Soccer?|newspaper=Kilkenny People|date=2 November 1979|page=18}}</ref> 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.<ref name=munsterexpress1331987>{{cite news|title=League of Ireland for Mitsuibishi Benfica|newspaper=Munster Express|date=13 March 1987|page=26}}</ref><ref name=munsterexpress29041988>{{cite news|title=Benfica Share The Points|newspaper=Munster Express|date=29 April 1988|page=12}}</ref><ref name=irishindependent12061987>{{cite news|title=Ladies Soccer|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=12 June 1987|page=10}}</ref> Eamonn Darcy, a former manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national football team, served as vice-president of the league.<ref name=irishpress941987>{{cite news|title=Woman's League of Ireland|newspaper=Irish Press|date=9 April 1987|page=18}}</ref> The revived league was sponsored by Hotpoint and Cork Rangers were the 1987 champions.<ref name=munsterexpress27051988>{{cite news|title=Hotpoint Women's League of Ireland|newspaper=Munster Express|date=27 May 1988|page=19}}</ref> Dublin Castle were the 1988 champions after defeating Greenpark (Limerick) 3–1 in a play-off.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ladies Soccer|url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/soccer%20players%20046.pdf|publisher=limerickcity.ie|access-date=10 May 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However the revived Ladies League of Ireland lasted just three seasons and was abandoned in 1989.<ref name=munsterexpress891989>{{cite news|title=Cup Final Showdown for Benfica|newspaper=Munster Express|date=8 September 1989|page=18}}</ref>
In 1996 there was an unsuccessful attempt to launch a third Ladies League of Ireland.<ref name=munsterexpress831996>{{cite news|title=Ladies League of Ireland|newspaper=Munster Express|date=8 March 1996|page=9}}</ref><ref name=anglocelt>{{cite news|title=Ladies League of Ireland |newspaper=The Anglo-Celt|date=14 March 1996|page=24}}</ref> Proposed members included a Mayo Ladies League representative team<ref name=conntele>{{cite news|title=Mayo girls soccer squad mooted|newspaper=The Connaught Telegraph|date=15 November 1995|page=27}}</ref> and Longford Strikers.<ref name=longford>{{cite news|title=Longford Strikers Ladies Soccer Club|newspaper=Longford Leader|date=2 June 1995|page=23}}</ref> 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.<ref name="fanhong">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 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=== 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.<ref name=rte382011>{{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 }}</ref><ref name=uefa382011>{{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}}</ref> The league was launched with financial support from UEFA.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=examiner11122011>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=wnl652012>{{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|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704133723/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/113-peamount-are-crowned-cup-final-winners.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following two seasons, 2012–13 and 2013–14, saw Raheny United finish as league champions.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> Footage of the goal was uploaded to the internet by team manager Eileen Gleeson as the matches were not televised.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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<ref>{{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 }}</ref> with 33% of the vote. In 2014–15 Wexford Youths were league champions and<ref>{{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 | archive-date=2 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115000/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/402-wexford-claim-wnl-title.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> in 2015–16 they retained the title after defeating Shelbourne Ladies in a play-off.<ref name="wnl2252016">{{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}}</ref>
====Summer League & Professionalism==== In 2016 a shortened transitional season was played from August to December where each team played 14 matches.<ref>{{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|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011185627/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/614-wnl-set-to-kick-off.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 2017 the league was restructured into a summer league, while a possible new team from Sligo entered into talks to join.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2022 |title=League of Ireland to introduce professional contracts for players in SSE Airtricity Women’s National League from 2023 season |url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/league-of-ireland-to-introduce-professional-contracts-C2-A0-for-players-in-sse-airtricity/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=fai.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2022 |title=FAI confirm professional contracts for Women’s National League players to be rolled out ahead of 2023 season |url=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 |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=independent.ie}}</ref>
==Expansions, name changes and withdrawals== DLR Waves joined the league in 2012–13<ref>{{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}}</ref> and Galway were added for the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{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|archive-date=7 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207063049/http://connachttribune.ie/galway-women-come-together-to-form-new-national-league-side/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> It was also announced that DLR Waves and UCD's senior women's team would join forces and become known as UCD Waves.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Shamrock Rovers also withdrew from the league, leaving seven teams to play each other.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In January 2015 the FAI sent out invitations to clubs in an effort to expand the league.<ref>{{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}}</ref> This resulted in Kilkenny United joining the league for the 2015–16 season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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|archive-date=1 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201072602/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/414-rahney-united-shelbourne-ladies-merge.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Before the 2015–16 season was finished Castlebar Celtic withdrew from league because they were unable to field a team.<ref name="wnl.fai.ie">{{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|archive-date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718114219/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/573-castlebar-celtic-withdraw-from-wnl.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="faiie">{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Both teams and Athlone Town joined the WNL for the first time that year.<ref name="Expansion 2020">{{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|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218200438/https://wnl.fai.ie/news/1145-2020-women-s-national-league-to-expand-to-nine-teams.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2022 |title=New teams to join SSE Airtricity WNL in 2023 |url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/new-teams-to-join-sse-airtricity-wnl-in-2023/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=fai.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2022 |title=Galway WFC decide against SSE Airtricity WNL entry for 2023 |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0911/1321850-galway-wfc-decide-against-wnl-entry-for-2023/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=rte.ie}}</ref>
In late 2024, Waterford confirmed they had been awarded a licence to enter a women's team for the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2024 |title=Waterford FC Awarded Men’s and Women’s Licences for 2025 |url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2024/11/27/waterford-fc-awarded-mens-and-womens-licences-for-2025/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=waterfordfc.ie}}</ref>
== Teams == {{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'''}}<br />{{nowrap|Bohemians}}<br />{{nowrap|DLR Waves}}<br />{{Nowrap|Peamount United}}<br/>{{nowrap|Shamrock Rovers}}<br />{{nowrap|Shelbourne}}}} }}
{| class='wikitable sortable' style='font-size:90%; width:60%' |+ 2025 League of Ireland Women's Premier Division teams |- ! Club !! Town / City !! Stadium !! Capacity |- | Athlone Town || Athlone || Athlone Town Stadium || 5,000 |- | Bohemians || Dublin {{small|(Phibsborough)}} || Dalymount Park || 4,900 |- | Cork City || Cork || Turner's Cross || 7,485 |- | DLR Waves || Dublin {{Small|(Dún Laoghaire)}} || UCD Bowl || 3,000 |- | Galway United || Galway || Eamonn Deacy Park || 5,000 |- | Peamount United || Dublin {{small|(Newcastle)}} || Greenogue || {{Color|grey|N/A}} |- | Shamrock Rovers || Dublin {{small|(Tallaght)}} || Tallaght Stadium || 8,000 |- | Shelbourne || Dublin {{small|(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== TG4 became the first national broadcaster to cover the league, agreeing a deal in September 2021 to show four live matches free-to-air.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2021 |title=TG4 set to show four SSE Airtricity Women's National League games {{!}} Press Release |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2021-2/tg4-set-to-show-four-sse-airtricity-womens-national-league-games/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=TG4 |language=en-ie}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=David |date=2021-10-02 |title=Shels' Alex Kavanagh makes history with first-ever live televised WNL goal |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/match-reports/shelbournes-alex-kavanagh-makes-history-21746549 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Dublin Live |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/tg4-confirm-live-games-extend-coverage-sse-airtricity-womens-premier-division/</ref> In 2025, TG4 increased coverage of the Women's Premier Division to 13 live matches per season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2025 |title=TG4 Kicks Off Record Women's Premier Division Coverage This Weekend on Sacar Beo {{!}} Press Release |url=https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2025-2/tg4-kicks-off-record-womens-premier-division-coverage-this-weekend-on-sacar-beo/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=TG4 |language=en-ie}}</ref>
==Sponsorship== 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> On 5 March 2019 the ninth season of the Women's National League was launched and Só Hotels unveiled as the new sponsors.<ref>{{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|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921222700/https://wnl.fai.ie/news/1017-so-hotel-group-confirmed-as-women-s-national-league-sponsor.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020 the League lacked a title sponsor, as Só Hotels did not renew their agreement from the previous season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Barretstown were announced as a "charity partner" on 24 July 2020.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Bank of Ireland also signed a three-year deal as an associate sponsor of the League of Ireland and WNL.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:center" !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== '''By club''' {| class="wikitable collapsible" ! Club ! Titles ! Seasons |- | Peamount United | 4 | 2011–12, 2019, 2020, 2023 |- | Wexford Youths | 4 | 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017, 2018 |- | Shelbourne | 3 | 2016, 2021, 2022 |- | Athlone Town | 2 | 2024, 2025 |- | Raheny United | 2 | 2012–13, 2013–14 |}
'''By season'''
{| class="wikitable" |- ! width=10% |Season ! width=17% |Winner ! width=17% |Runners-up ! width=17% |Third place ! width=29% |Top scorer ! width=10% |Goals |- |2011–12 || Peamount United (1)|| Raheny United|| Cork Women's F.C. || Stephanie Roche (Peamount United) || 24<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wnl.fai.ie/2011-10-18-18-37-48/statistics/statistics-201112.html |title=2011-12 stats at wnl.fai.ie |access-date=9 January 2016 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114220131/http://wnl.fai.ie/2011-10-18-18-37-48/statistics/statistics-201112.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2012–13 || Raheny United (1)|| Peamount United || Wexford Youths || Sara Lawlor (Peamount United) || 28<ref>{{cite web|title=Season Statistics|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/2011-10-18-18-37-48/statistics/statistics-201213.htmlpublisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=17 February 2014}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |2013–14 || Raheny United (2)|| Peamount United || Wexford Youths || Stephanie Roche (Peamount United) ||<ref>{{cite news|title=Dash sign Irish int'l forward Stephanie Roche|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2015Q1/862987.html|access-date=9 January 2016|publisher=National Women's Soccer League|date=18 February 2015|archive-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127171219/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2015Q1/862987.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Heigh|first1=Rob|title=Russell nets player award|url=http://www.gazettegroup.com/sport/russell-nets-player-award/|access-date=9 January 2016|publisher=Dublin Gazette Newspapers|date=8 May 2014|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126052849/http://www.gazettegroup.com/sport/russell-nets-player-award/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 2014–15 || Wexford Youths (1)|| UCD Waves || Raheny United || Áine O'Gorman (UCD Waves) || 25<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hooper|first1=Dave|title=UCD Waves guarantee second spot|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/412-ucd-waves-guarantee-second-spot.html|access-date=3 January 2016|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=30 April 2015|archive-date=26 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826095038/https://wnl.fai.ie/news/412-ucd-waves-guarantee-second-spot.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 2015–16 ||Wexford Youths (2)|| Shelbourne ||UCD Waves || Áine O'Gorman (UCD Waves) || 17<ref name="wnlawards">{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/201516-continental-tyres-wnl-awards-winners-unveiled|title=2015/16 Continental Tyres WNL Awards winners unveiled|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=7 June 2016|date=18 May 2016 }}</ref> |- | 2016 || Shelbourne (1)|| UCD Waves || Peamount United || Amber Barrett (Peamount United) || 16<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/713-round-up-shels-finish-unbeaten-wins-for-ucd-and-wexford.html |title=ROUND-UP: Shels Finish Unbeaten, Wins for UCD and Wexford |date=5 December 2016 |publisher=wnl.fai.ie |quote=Barrett’s strike was her 16th of the season and seals the golden boot award. |access-date=2 January 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922114352/https://wnl.fai.ie/news/713-round-up-shels-finish-unbeaten-wins-for-ucd-and-wexford.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2017 || Wexford Youths (3)|| Peamount United || Shelbourne || Amber Barrett (Peamount United) || 16<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.oceanfm.ie/2017/11/08/donegals-amber-barrett-named-player-of-the-year/ | website = oceanfm.ie | publisher = Ocean FM | title = Donegal's Amber Barrett named player of the year | date = 8 November 2017 }}</ref> |- | 2018 || Wexford Youths (4)|| Shelbourne || Peamount United|| Amber Barrett (Peamount United) || 30<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/21860/peamount-united-striker-amber-barrett-wins-golden-boot-for-second-year-running/|title=Peamount United striker Amber Barrett wins golden boot for second year running}}</ref> |- | 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<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Scorers – 2020 Women's National League |url=https://www.extratime.com/topscorers/2034/162/womens-national-league-2020/ |access-date=6 December 2020 |publisher=Extratime.com}}</ref> |- | 2021 || Shelbourne (2)|| Peamount United || Wexford Youths || Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) || 16<ref>{{cite news |last1=Healy |first1=Martin |title=Wexford Youth's Kylie Murphy claims Player of the Year prize at SSE Airtricity Women's National League Awards |url=https://extra.ie/2021/12/01/sport/soccernews/kylie-murphy-awards |access-date=1 December 2021 |work=Extra.ie |publisher=DMG Media |date=1 December 2021}}</ref> |- | 2022 || Shelbourne (3)|| Athlone Town || Peamount United || Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) || 22<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Andrew |title=Áine O'Gorman bags the Golden Boot award after pulsating season |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/aine-ogorman-bags-the-golden-boot-award-after-pulsating-season-42111434.html#:~:text=O'Gorman%20scored%20a%20hat,goal%20difference%20in%20the%20league. |access-date=12 November 2022 |publisher=Wicklow People |date=2 November 2022}}</ref> |- | 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|| || |}
==Related competitions==
===WNL Cup=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Winner !Result !Runner-up !Venue |- |2011–12<ref name="wnl652012"/> ||Peamount United|| 1–0 || Shamrock Rovers||Tallaght Stadium |- |2012–13<ref>{{cite web|title=Peamount retain League Cup title|url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/7674|publisher=shekicks.net|access-date=20 May 2013|date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518190623/http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/7674|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Peamount United|| 6–3 || Castlebar Celtic||Milebush Park, Castlebar |- |2013–14<ref>{{cite news|title=Wexford win first trophy|url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/9972|access-date=3 January 2016|publisher=She Kicks|date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126164623/http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/9972|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Wexford Youths || 3–0 || Castlebar Celtic||Ferrycarrig Park<ref>{{cite news|title=Wexford Youths 3–0 Castlebar Celtic|url=http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/26680/0/|access-date=14 May 2016|publisher=extratime.ie|date=18 May 2014}}</ref> |- | 2014–15<ref>{{cite news|title=Extra-time triumph for Raheny United in women's league cup final |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/extra-time-triumph-for-raheny-united-in-women-s-league-cup-final-1.2189918|work=The Irish Times|date=26 April 2015}}</ref> || Raheny United || 3–2 {{aet}} || Peamount United||Tolka Park |- | 2015–16<ref>{{cite news|title=Shelbourne Ladies win Continental Tyres WNL Cup|url=http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/shelbourne-ladies-win-continental-tyres-wnl-cup|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=18 May 2016|date=15 May 2016}}</ref>||Shelbourne||3–2 ||UCD Waves||Richmond Park |- |2017<ref>{{cite news|title=Penalty shootout drama as Shelbourne Ladies retain WNL Cup|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0924/907153-drama-as-shelbourne-ladies-retain-wnl-cup/ |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=4 December 2018|date=24 September 2017}}</ref> || Shelbourne || 1–1 {{aet}}<br />(5–4 pen.) || Peamount United || Greenogue |- |2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/977-report-wexford-youths-1-2-peamount-united-peamount-are-wnl-cup-champions.html|title=REPORT: Wexford Youths 1-2 Peamount United – Peamount are WNL Cup Champions – Women's National League|access-date=5 December 2018|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922092738/https://wnl.fai.ie/news/977-report-wexford-youths-1-2-peamount-united-peamount-are-wnl-cup-champions.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Peamount United || 2–1 || Wexford Youths || Ferrycarrig Park |- |2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wexfordfc.ie/women/fixtures-results|title = 2021 Fixtures / Results – Senior Women| date=16 October 2022 }}</ref> || Shelbourne || 1–0 || Wexford Youths || Ferrycarrig Park |- |2020 || align="center" colspan="4"|''Deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic''<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Hehir |first1=Paul |title=FAI set 28 June target start date for Women's National League |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/fai-set-june-28-target-21769239 |access-date=6 December 2020 |work=Daily Mirror |date=27 March 2020}}</ref> |- |}
===WNL Shield=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Winner !Result !Runner-up !Venue |- |2015–16||Wexford Youths|| 1–0<ref name=wnl3032016>{{cite web|title=Wexford edge Shels in WNL Shield Final|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/569-wexford-edge-shels-in-wnl-shield-final.html|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=13 May 2016|date=30 March 2016|archive-date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718114226/http://wnl.fai.ie/news/569-wexford-edge-shels-in-wnl-shield-final.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>||Shelbourne||Ferrycarrig Park |}
==See also== *League of Ireland Women's Under 17 Division
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://wnl.fai.ie/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111230522/http://wnl.fai.ie/ |date=11 January 2016 }} *[https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loi-womens-premier/ LOI Women's Premier Division] at Final Whistle * [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/irl/domestic/league/3033/ LOI Women's Premier Division] at UEFA *[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}}
Category:League of Ireland Women's Premier Division Women's Premier Division Premier Division Ireland, Republic of Category:Professional sports leagues in Ireland Category:2023 establishments in Ireland Category:Sports leagues established in 2023