2026 League of Ireland Women's Premier Division
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 14 March – 24 October 2026 |
| Matches | 12 |
| Goals | 25 (2.08 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Six players (2 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Bohemians 3–0 Cork City (21 March 2026) Treaty United 3–0 Waterford (21 March 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Cork City 0–2 Shamrock Rovers (14 March 2026) Shamrock Rovers 0–2 Peamount United (21 March 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Peamount United 2–2 Bohemians (14 March 2026) |
| Longest winning run | 2 matches Galway United |
| Longest unbeaten run | 2 matches Athlone Town Bohemians Galway United Peamount United Shelbourne Wexford |
| Longest winless run | 2 matches Cork City DLR Waves Sligo Rovers Waterford Wexford |
| Longest losing run | 2 matches Cork City DLR Waves |
← 2025 2027 →
All statistics correct as of 21 March 2026. | |
The 2026 Premier Division, also known as SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the fourth edition of the top-tier women's football league in the Republic of Ireland since its restructure in 2022.
Athlone Town are defending champions, having won their second title in the 2025 season.[1]
The first matches of the 2026 season were played on 14 March 2026. The final matchday is scheduled to be played on 24 October 2026.
Teams
Twelve clubs are participating in the 2026 season.
Dublin
Locations of Women's Premier Division teams
Locations of Dublin Women's Premier Division teams
Stadiums and locations
| Club | Town / City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town | Athlone | Athlone Town Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bohemians | Dublin (Phibsborough) | Dalymount Park | 4,500 |
| Cork City | Cork | Munster FA Turners Cross Stadium | 7,485 |
| DLR Waves | Dublin (Dún Laoghaire) | UCD Bowl | 3,000 |
| Galway United | Galway | Eamonn Deacy Park | 5,000 |
| Peamount United | Dublin (Newcastle) | Greenogue | N/A |
| Shamrock Rovers | Dublin (Tallaght) | Tallaght Stadium | 10,500 |
| Shelbourne | Dublin (Drumcondra) | Tolka Park | 5,750 |
| 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 |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town | Vacant | Hannah Waesch[2] | Macron | |
| Bohemians | Alan Murphy | Rachael Kelly[3] | O'Neills | Virgin Media[4] |
| Cork City | Barry Ryan | Eva Mangan[5] | Rebel Army | Zeus Packaging[6] |
| DLR Waves | Laura Heffernan | Jessica Gleeson[7] | Balon Direct | Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council |
| Galway United | Phil Trill | Lynsey McKey[8] | O'Neills | Comer Property Management |
| Peamount United | Gary Seery | Eleanor Ryan-Doyle | Uhlsport | IP Telecom |
| Shamrock Rovers | James O'Callaghan | Maria Reynolds | Macron | Blake Brothers Food Service[9] |
| Shelbourne | Seán Russell | Pearl Slattery[10] | O'Neills | Chadwicks |
| Sligo Rovers | Gavin Hughes | Emma Hansberry[11] | Umbro | Avant Money |
| Treaty United | Laurie Ryan | Katie Lawlee[12] | O'Neills | Trade Electric Group |
| Waterford | Gary Hunt | Maeve Williams[13] | Puma | Hess Sports Group |
| Wexford | Dave Connell | Lauren Dwyer | Jako | Mac's Caleta de Fuste |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of
departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of
appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork City | Craig Robinson (Interim) | End of interim spell | 8 October 2025 | Pre-season | Barry Ryan[14] | 8 October 2025 |
| Treaty United | Dave Rooney (interim) | 10 October 2025 | Laurie Ryan[15] | 10 October 2025 | ||
| Sligo Rovers | Steve Feeney[16] | Resigned | 13 October 2025 | Gavin Hughes[17] | 21 December 2025 | |
| Peamount United | Emma Donohue[18] Gary Seery |
Donohue resigned | 15 October 2025 | Gary Seery | 15 October 2025 | |
| Shelbourne | Eoin Wearen[19] | End of contract | 20 October 2025 | Seán Russell[20] | 7 November 2025 | |
| Wexford | Sean Byrne[21] | Resigned | 19 November 2025 | Dave Connell[22] | 12 December 2025 | |
| Shamrock Rovers | Stephanie Zambra (interim)[23] | End of interim spell | 21 November 2025 | James O'Callaghan[24] | 3 December 2025 | |
| Bohemians | Alban Hysa[25] | Resigned | 6 January 2026 | Alan Murphy[26] | 11 January 2026 | |
| Athlone Town | John Sullivan[27] | 19 March 2026 | 6th |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galway United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 | Qualification for UEFA Women's Champions League |
| 2 | Bohemians | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 | Qualification for UEFA Women's Europa Cup |
| 3 | Peamount United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 4 | |
| 4 | Shelbourne | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 | |
| 5 | Athlone Town | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 6 | Treaty United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Shamrock Rovers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 8 | Wexford | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 9 | Sligo Rovers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | |
| 10 | Waterford | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 1 | |
| 11 | DLR Waves | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | |
| 12 | Cork City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source: League of Ireland
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
Results
Positions by round
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Leader and qualification for Champions League | |
| Qualification for Europa Cup |
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source:
Top Scorers
- As of 21 March 2026
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[28] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ceola Bergin | Galway United | 2 |
| Ciara Breslin | Treaty United | ||
| Ciara Maher | Bohemians | ||
| Sorcha Melia | Peamount United | ||
| Sarah McKevitt | Bohemians | ||
| Dana Scheriff | Athlone Town | ||
| 2 | 13 players | Various | 1 |
See also
References
- ^ "Athlone Town retain SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division". League of Ireland. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ O'Neill, Kevin (29 January 2026). "Waesch and Clarke confirmed as Athlone Town captain's for 2026 season". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Captain Kelly and vice-captain Donnelly re-sign for Bohemians". Extratime. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ "Virgin Media announces sponsorship of Bohemian FC women's team". Bohemians. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ^ "Eva Mangan Signs New Contract". Cork City. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
The 21-year-old has made over 120 appearances for the first team, scoring 16 goals, and has once again committed to the Rebel Army, where she will wear the captain's armband for the upcoming Women's Premier Division campaign.
- ^ Howey, Aaron (19 June 2025). "City & Zeus Extend Partnership!". Cork City. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Jess Gleeson Player Profile – DLR Waves". DLR Waves. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
Jess Gleeson is our club captain...
- ^ Team, Media (2025-01-20). "Lynsey McKey is back for 2025". Galway United. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
In February of 2023, Mckey signed with United and was announced as our first ever women's senior captain.
- ^ "Women's Principal Sponsor Blake's Food Service". Shamrock Rovers. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Pearl Slattery rewarded for stellar showings with Shelbourne". RTÉ Sport. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ "Emma Hansberry signs for 2024" (Press release). Sligo Rovers. 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ "2026 WPD Preview | Treaty United". League of Ireland. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
They are following in the footsteps of Katie Lawlee, who has taken over as club captain.
- ^ "Williams Returns for 2026!". Waterford F.C. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Howey, Aaron (8 October 2025). "Barry Ryan Joins WPD Management Team". Cork City. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Treaty United Appoint Laurie Ryan as New Senior Women's Manager". Treaty United. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Goulden, David (13 October 2025). "Feeney Steps Down as Women's Manager". Sligo Rovers. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Sligo Rovers Football Club Appoints Gavin Hughes as New Women's Senior Team Manager". Sligo Rovers. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Howley, Michael (15 October 2025). "Peamount manager to step down from her role". Echo.ie. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Cleary, Darren (2025-10-20). "Women's First Team Manager Eoin Wearen Departs". Shelbourne Football Club. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ Cleary, Darren (2025-11-07). "Shelbourne FC Appoints Seán Russell as Women's Manager". Shelbourne Football Club. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ "Sean Byrne departs Wexford FC Women". Wexford F.C. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Dave Connell becomes Wexford FC women's manager". RTÉ. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Thanks Stephanie". Shamrock Rovers. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "James O'Callaghan - Women's First Team Coach". Shamrock Rovers. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Alban Hysa steps down as women's first-team manager". Bohemians. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
- ^ "Alan Murphy appointed Bohemian FC women's team manager". Bohemians. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Club Statement: John Sullivan resigns". Athlone Town. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ "2026 Women's National League Tables & Results & Stats". Extra Time. Retrieved 21 March 2026.