New women’s league small but perfectly formed

ONE league closes and another one opens. As the men of the Airtricity League prepare to leave the stage for another season, enter the women of the Bus Éireann National League.

There was a palpable sense of history in the making at the Aviva Stadium yesterday as the League was launched. Manager of the senior Irish team, Sue Ronan, was among those in attendance, noting that the first failed effort at a national women’s league in Ireland had been attempted as far back as 1973.

Better late than never, that day has finally dawned, even if the inaugural league is of modest proportions with just six clubs taking part. Games will be played from November through to April on Sunday afternoons with the opening day’s fixtures, on November 13 (kick-off 2pm), pitting Cork Women’s FC against Peamount United at Turner’s Cross, Shamrock Rovers against Raheny United at Tallaght Stadium and Wexford Youths against Castlebar Celtic at Ferrycarrig Park.