2021 Women's National League (Ireland)

Women's National League
Season2021
Dates27 March 2021 – 13 November 2021
ChampionsShelbourne
2nd title
Champions LeagueShelbourne
Matches played108
Top goalscorerÁine O'Gorman (16 goals)
Biggest home winPeamount United 8–1 Cork City
(30 October 2021)
Biggest away winTreaty United 0–10 Peamount United
(3 October 2021)
Highest scoringTreaty United 0–10 Peamount United
(3 October 2021)
Highest attendance1,007 Cork City 3–1 Treaty United (6 November 2021)[1]
← 2020
2022 →
All statistics correct as of 13 November 2021.

The 2021 Women's National League, known as the SSE Airtricity WNL for sponsorship reasons,[2] is the 11th season of the Women's National League, the highest women's association football league in the Republic of Ireland since its establishment in 2011. Peamount United were the defending champions, having won their third league title the previous season.

In January 2021 the League attracted a new title sponsor, as SSE Airtricity agreed a two-year renewal of their existing deal with the (men's) League of Ireland and extended it to also cover the WNL.[3] The Bank of Ireland also signed a three-year deal as an associate sponsor of the League of Ireland and WNL.[4] This followed a season without a WNL sponsorship deal in 2020.[5]

The 1,007 spectators at Cork City's 3–1 win over Treaty United on 6 November 2021 at Turners Cross set a new WNL record for the highest attendance.[1]

A dramatic conclusion to the season saw defending champions Peamount United unexpectedly squander a two-goal lead to lose 5–2 at home to Galway on the final match day, allowing Shelbourne to claim the title with their 3–2 win over Wexford Youths.[6][7] Both matches were subject to live television coverage, following the WNL's agreement of a broadcast arrangement with TG4 in September 2021.[8]

During the season a number of players transferred to professional clubs in England and Scotland. Peamount manager James O'Callaghan called for the formation of a task force, to examine the possibility of making the WNL semi-professional in future: "It's great for those players that they are getting to play professionally, but it's not great for the league to be losing them."[9]

Teams

The same nine teams who had contested the abridged 2020 season returned for 2021.[10]

Team Home town/suburb Stadium 2020 finish
Athlone Town Athlone Athlone Town Stadium 7th
Bohemians Dublin (Coolock) Oscar Traynor Centre 9th
Cork City Cork Turners Cross 4th
Galway Galway Eamonn Deacy Park 5th
Treaty United Limerick Markets Field 8th
Peamount United Newcastle, South Dublin Greenogue 1st
Shelbourne Dublin (Drumcondra) Tolka Park 2nd
DLR Waves Dublin (Belfield) UCD Bowl 6th
Wexford Youths Crossabeg Ferrycarrig Park 3rd

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Athlone Town Republic of Ireland Tommy Hewitt Republic of Ireland Kayla Brady Nike Stodge Face
Bohemians Republic of Ireland Sean Byrne Republic of Ireland Sophie Watters O'Neills ICHH - Inner City Helping Homeless
Cork City Republic of Ireland Rónán Collins Republic of Ireland Becky Cassin Adidas Jackie Lennox Chip Shop
DLR Waves Republic of Ireland Graham Kelly Republic of Ireland Catherine Cronin Jako CDS - Clare Distribution Services
Galway Republic of Ireland Billy Clery Republic of Ireland Shauna Fox Acerbis The Plaza Group
Peamount United Republic of Ireland James O'Callaghan Republic of Ireland Áine O'Gorman Uhlsport SPAR Kelly's Newcastle
Shelbourne Republic of Ireland Noel King Republic of Ireland Pearl Slattery Umbro Hamptons Homes
Treaty United Republic of Ireland Niall Connolly Republic of Ireland Esra Kangal Umbro Ei Electronics
Wexford Youths England Tom Elmes Republic of Ireland Kylie Murphy Jako Energia

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of
departure 		Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of
appointment
Shelbourne England Dave Bell Resignation[11] 16 December 2020 Pre-season Republic of Ireland Noel King 31 December 2020[12]
Treaty United Republic of Ireland Dave Rooney Resignation[13] 1 January 2021 Pre-season Republic of Ireland Niall Connolly 17 January 2021[14]
Galway Republic of Ireland Billy Clery Resignation[15] 19 May 2021 5th Republic of Ireland Stephen Lally 22 May 2021[16]
Cork City Republic of Ireland Rónán Collins Resignation[17] 28 May 2021 9th Republic of Ireland Paul Farrell 16 June 2021[18]
Wexford Youths England Tom Elmes Resignation[19] 9 June 2021 3rd Republic of Ireland Stephen Quinn 9 June 2021[20]
Treaty United Republic of Ireland Niall Connolly Mutual consent 12 October 2021[21] 9th

Format

The nine teams play each other three times, with a mid-season break from 7 June to 25 June 2021.[22]

League table

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Shelbourne 24 20 1 3 65 22 +43 61 Qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League
2 Peamount United 24 19 3 2 81 18 +63 60
3 Wexford Youths 24 17 4 3 64 17 +47 55
4 DLR Waves 24 12 3 9 34 24 +10 39
5 Galway 24 8 5 11 36 45 −9 29
6 Bohemians 24 5 4 15 30 51 −21 19
7 Athlone Town 24 4 7 13 27 59 −32 19
8 Cork City 24 4 4 16 28 61 −33 16
9 Treaty United 24 2 3 19 27 95 −68 9
Updated to match(es) played on 13 November 2021. Source: FAI Women’s National League, Soccerway, Extratime.com

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order 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.

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
Athlone Town878888867889999899977877777
Bohemians134666676666777786666666666
Cork City487777799998888967788788888
DLR Waves656444444444444444444444444
Galway425355555555555555555555555
Peamount United342111111112112111121111112
Shelbourne211533322221221222212333321
Treaty United999999988777666688899999999
Wexford Youths763222233333333333333222233
Updated to match(es) played on 12 November 2021. Source: Extratime.com
  = Leader and UEFA Women's Champions League;   = Second;   = Third

Results

Matches 1–24

Teams play each other three times, with one team idle on every round of fixtures.

Statistics

Top scorers

Last updated after fixtures on 13 November 2021.

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Republic of Ireland Áine O'Gorman Peamount United 16
2 Republic of Ireland Kylie Murphy Wexford Youths 15
3 Republic of Ireland Eleanor Ryan Doyle Peamount United 14
Republic of Ireland Ellen Molloy Wexford Youths 14
5 Republic of Ireland Saoirse Noonan Shelbourne 12
6 Republic of Ireland Jenna Slattery Treaty United 10

Source: Extratime.com

Awards

Monthly awards

Month Player of the Month References
Player Club
April Rachel Kearns Galway [23]
May Eleanor Ryan-Doyle Peamount [24]
June/July Kylie Murphy Wexford [25]
August Savannah McCarthy Galway [26]
September Karen Duggan Peamount [27]
October Jessie Stapleton Shelbourne [28]
November Ellen Molloy Wexford Youths [29]

Annual awards

[30]

Award Winner Club
WNL Player of the Year Kylie Murphy Wexford Youths
Young Player of the Year Aoibheann Clancy Wexford Youths
Manager of the Year Noel King Shelbourne

[31]

WNL Team of the Year
Goalkeeper Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne) Lauren Dwyer (Wexford Youths) Savannah McCarthy (Galway)
Midfielders Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United) Ciara Grant (Shelbourne) Karen Duggan (Peamount United) Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths) Ciara Rossiter (Wexford Youths)
Forwards Kylie Murphy (Wexford Youths) Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths)

Broadcasting

In February 2021 the Football Association of Ireland announced that all WNL matches would be streamed worldwide, free of charge on the new LOITV platform.[32] In September 2021 the TG4 Irish language television network agreed a deal to broadcast four matches.[8] Alex Kavanagh scored the first televised goal, in Shelbourne's 1–0 win over DLR Waves at Tolka Park.[33] The 309,000 viewing figures exceeded expectations, and TG4 extended the arrangement into the following season.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Horgan, Andrew (6 November 2021). "Cork City breaks record for attendance at a Women's National League game in win over Treaty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ "SSE Airtricity extends title sponsorship of League of Ireland". The Irish Times. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ^ O'Halloran, Rob (20 January 2021). "Huge boost for Irish football as LOI and WNL land new title sponsorship deal". Extra.ie. DMG Media. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Bank of Ireland signs on as Associate LOI Sponsor". Football Association of Ireland. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ McDonnell, Daniel (20 January 2021). "Aine O'Gorman hopes sponsorship deal will help end WNL's 'pay to play' system". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  6. ^ O'Mahony, Paul (7 December 2021). "Women's National League: "These are exciting times for women's football in Ireland. The time to jump on board is now…."". Hot Press. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ^ Fahey, Cian (17 November 2021). ""I'm in the history books for being part of the biggest implosions ever" | Karen Duggan COYGIG podcast". Off the Ball (media company). Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b "TG4 to broadcast four WNL games live during the remainder of the season". Irish Independent. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  9. ^ Malone, Emmet (4 February 2021). "O'Callaghan wants taskforce on women's professional league". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  10. ^ "The nine clubs and their star players chasing glory in Ireland's top-flight this season". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Dave Bell steps down as WNL Head Coach, applications now sought for role". Shelbourne F.C. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  12. ^ Kelly, Niall (31 December 2020). "Noel King takes charge of Shelbourne's WNL team ahead of 2021 season". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  13. ^ Kinsella, Colm (1 January 2021). "Treaty United on look-out for new senior women's and U17 managers". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  14. ^ Kinsella, Colm (17 January 2021). "Limerick's Treaty United appoint new senior women's manager". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Galway WFC confirm resignation of manager Billy Clery". RTÉ Sport. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  16. ^ O'Connell, Cian (22 May 2021). "Stephen Lally appointed new Galway WFC manager". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Rónán Collins steps down as boss of Cork City women". Irish Examiner. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  18. ^ Horgan, Andrew (16 June 2021). "Paul Farrell to manage Cork City Women's squad for the rest of the season". The Echo (Cork newspaper). Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  19. ^ Duffy, Emma (9 June 2021). "Tom Elmes' first international job confirmed after emotional Wexford Youths farewell". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  20. ^ "SER Sports Hour Sunday 13th June with Aidan Delaney". South East Radio. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  21. ^ Carroll, Paul (12 October 2021). "Tipperary's Niall Connolly parts way with Treaty United senior women's squad". Tipp FM. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  22. ^ "2021 SSE Airtricity WNL Fixtures unveiled". Women's National League (Ireland). 8 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Kearns lands new WNL Player of Month award". RTÉ Sport. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  24. ^ Duffy, Emma (3 June 2021). "Seventh heaven as Peamount United striker scoops Player of the Month award". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  25. ^ "Murphy lands award as Wexford keep in title race". RTÉ Sport. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Savannah McCarthy wins WNL Player of the Month for August". RTÉ Sport. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Duggan Collects WNL Player Of The Month Award For September As Tolka Park Braces For TG4's Cameras". Her Sport. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  28. ^ Duffy, Emma (5 November 2021). "Shels' 16-year-old sensation named Player of the Month for October". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Ellen Molloy scoops player of the month award". RTÉ Sport. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  30. ^ Healy, Martin (1 December 2021). "Wexford Youth's Kylie Murphy claims Player of the Year prize at SSE Airtricity Women's National League Awards". Extra.ie. DMG Media. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  31. ^ Healy, Martin (1 December 2021). "Wexford Youths dominate in 2021 SSE Airtricity Women's National League Team of the Season". Extra.ie. DMG Media. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  32. ^ "FAI announces new broadcast deals". Football Association of Ireland. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  33. ^ Donnelly, Dave (2 October 2021). "Shelbourne's Alex Kavanagh makes history as spectacular strike settles first-ever live WNL broadcast with DLR Waves win". Dublin Live. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  34. ^ Fanneran, Vinny (29 October 2022). "Galway Women's football in TV breakthrough as major milestone passed". Galway Beo. Retrieved 6 November 2022.