Longford Town are to join the new Women’s development League of Ireland.
Indeed, the new league will get underway in the 2026 season. It will allow the current 12 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division clubs to enter an Under-23 team into a competitive league.
The 10 clubs joining the Women’s Development League as senior teams are Bray Wanderers, CK United, Cobh Ramblers, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Kerry, Longford Town, Mayo and St. Patrick’s Athletic.
This new Development League will remain part of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Development Programme. However, it will replace the current EA SPORTS Women’s U19 League.
The programme is endorsed by UEFA as part of their Women’s league development fund.
The Women’s Development League will be split into two groups:
As part of the format for the Women’s Development League, the following will apply:
- Each team will play 20 games in their respective group – against every other team, home and away
- Teams from each group will progress to the Development Knock-Out Stage
- The Development League Final will determine the overall winner of the League
- Promotion/Relegation to the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division will not be in place for the inaugural season. However, will be reviewed at a later date.
- The 10 new senior clubs will enter the expanded Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup from the First Round
- UEFA funding will support the implementation of the new Development League
With the introduction of the Women’s Development League, there will be three different tiers of League of Ireland Women’s football for the 2026 season. SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, Women’s Development League and EA SPORTS Women’s Under-17 League.
Whereas, future plans include additional LOI Academy Development Programmes for younger players, a recommendation which was highlighted in the recent Double Pass LOI Academy Audit.
