Shamrock Rovers and Carlow-Kilkenny added to So Hotels under-17 WNL

The Só Hotels under-17 Women’s National League is set to expand next season to include teams from Shamrock Rovers and from Carlow-Kilkenny FC. 

Both clubs were successful in their application having looked to enter the league after expressions of interest were sought by the FAI in June.

FAI Competitions Director Fran Gavin said: “We look forward to working with Carlow-Kilkenny and Shamrock Rovers in growing women’s football within the clubs over the coming years and developing a player pathway for the growing number of female players now playing in the domestic game.” 

The FAI noted on Friday that the final composition and format of the league will be announced at a later date.

Rovers have the aim of moving on to have a Senior Women’s side in the league in seasons to come. The club are partnering with Lucan United to form their squad to enter the under-17 level next season.

The Hoops had previously stated that “the introduction of the women’s side will add to the overall football structure at SRFC and is something that the club intends to develop and compete with the established women’s teams and to become amongst the best women’s teams in the country.

Shamrock Rovers were a founding member of the WNL back in 2011/12 and were runners up in the WNL Cup in the first season losing 1-0 to Peamount United in the final played in Tallaght Stadium.

The Rovers women’s team played three seasons before withdrawing from the league. 

.@ShamrockRovers Women's U17 application accepted by @FAI_WNL and the Hoops will play in the 2020 league season https://t.co/AsoBZ1KeXM

— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) October 11, 2019