Foreign Kicks: Women’s National League — Ireland

Gareth Maher reports on the Women’s National League, created by the FAI in 2011 to answer the lack of a professionally run senior structure in Ireland and now closing on a second season. Sponsored by Bus Eireann and running from August to May, it began with Castlebar Celtic, Cork Women’s, Peamount United, Raheny United, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford Youths, with DLR Waves added for 2012-13 and a Galway side expected to widen a heavily east-coast league. Players such as Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant, Yvonne Tracy and Niamh Fahey had gone abroad before it existed, and its amateur status means others follow: Louise Quinn captained Peamount to the first title then joined Eskilstuna United. Sue Ronan took thirteen home-based players to the Cyprus Cup. Five rising players are profiled.