The success of the FAI’s Development Leagues in Men’s football is to be mirrored in the Women’s game with eleven teams lined up to compete in the new Continental Tyres Women’s National Under-17 League starting in July.

This will be the first national underage women’s league in Ireland.

Seven teams who have senior representatives in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League will be represented in the league with Wexford Youths, Peamount United, Shelbourne Ladies, UCD Waves, Galway WFC, Cork City WFC and Limerick Women’s all included.

Four additional teams have been awarded a place in the Women’s National Under-17 League with Athlone Town, Greystones United, Donegal Women’s League and Sligo Rovers set to complete the 11-team line-up.

The league will begin in mid-late July 2018 with a truncated season before the start of the first full season in March 2019.

“This is another huge step forward for Women’s football in Ireland,” said FAI Head of Women’s Football Sue Ronan.

“The Gaynor Tournament continues to grow from strength to strength but it’s important we look to strengthen our elite player pathway with the new National Under-17s League.”

“The gap between the Women’s National League and elite grassroots football is a big one so now the creation of this league will help bridge that gap.

“By creating the Under-17 league, we’ll be able to see more elite players progress to the next stage of their development with the 11 sides positioned across the country.”

“The inclusion of Donegal Women’s League, Greystones United, Athlone Town and Sligo Rovers is not just recognition for the great work these clubs are already doing in Women’s Football but also recognition for the talent in these areas.”

The Continental Tyres Women’s National League gets underway next month with eight teams in action following the step up of Limerick FC st this level.

The biggest days in the history of Women’;s soccer in this country will follow shortly after with the Republic of Ireland Senior Team playing two home matches at Tallaght Stadium in April as they bid to build on theor excellent start to the qualification phase for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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Image Credit: Dave Maher, Sportsfile