LOI Women’s Premier Division: Your club-by-club guide to the new season

The Women’s Premier Division returns this Saturday and is set to be the most exciting season yet. Here we run through how each club stands and what players to watch.

ATHLONE TOWN

Manager: Tommy Hewitt

2022 league: Second (58 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Runners-up

One to watch: Muireann Devaney

Verdict: Third

After a stunning 2022 campaign, which saw the Midlanders finish two points off the top and reach a first FAI Cup final, their next challenge is to maintain that momentum. The loss of last season’s Player of the Year Emily Corbet and key defender Jessica Hennessy are significant, but they did impress in last weekend’s President’s Cup victory over Shelbourne.

BOHEMIANS

Manager: Sean Byrne

2022 league: Seventh (36 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Semi-final

One to watch: Sarah Rowe

Verdict: Seventh

Bohs will be disappointed by their seventh-place finish last term, but showed signs of promise taking points off the likes of Shelbourne and Peamount. The departure of top scorer Abbie Brophy to Wexford may hurt their chances this season, but the sensational signing of AFL star Sarah Rowe could help drive them up the table, as the Mayo native looks to force her way into Ireland's World Cup squad.

CORK CITY

Manager: Danny Murphy

2022 league: Ninth (18 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Quarter-final

One to watch: Jesse Mendez

Verdict: Tenth

After a fourth-placed finish in 2020, Cork have struggled in the last two seasons finishing second last in each. They lost captain Becky Cassin over the winter, but Murphy has signed highly-rated midfielder Jesse Mendez and is eyeing a ‘top-five’ finish in 2023.

DLR WAVES

Manager: Graham Kelly

2022 league: Fifth (40 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Quarter-final

One to watch: Bronagh Kane

Verdict: Sixth

DLR Waves finished 16 points off the top four last term, but did take points off Wexford, Shels and Athlone. The loss of key goal scorer Kate Mooney to Peamount United may hurt their chances, while defender Hannah Tobin Jones and forward Bronagh Kane are two of the many new faces at the club in 2023.

GALWAY UNITED

Manager: Phill Trill

2022 league (Galway WFC): Sixth (39 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup (Galway WFC): First round

One to watch: Therese Kinnevey

Verdict: Eight

After five years coaching with now-defunct Galway WFC, Phil Trill has taken the reins as Galway United enter a women’s side into the league for the first time. Ireland U-19 defender Therese Kinnevey earned a 2022 Team of the Year place and is definitely one to watch, as is Northern Ireland international Gemma McGuinness who has arrived from Sligo Rovers. Galway are now the eight side in the country to have senior women’s and men’s sides in the one club.

PEAMOUNT UNITED

Manager: James O’Callaghan

2022 league: Third (56 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Quarter-final

One to watch: Kate Mooney

Verdict: Fourth

With Ireland pair Áine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche gone to Shamrock Rovers, Peamount must find goals from somewhere this season. New signing Kate Mooney will look to make an impact after hitting 12 goals for DLR Waves last term. Captain and former Ireland international Karen Duggan will play a big role from midfield too, as the three-time winners look for their first title since 2020.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Manager: Collie O’Neill

One to watch: Abbie Larkin

Verdict: Fifth

The Hoops are back in the top flight after a nine-year absence and turned many heads with their winter signings. The capture of Aine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche was a huge statement of intent, while six players have arrived from Shels. O’Gorman was the league’s top scorer last year with 25 goals, while Ireland forward Abbie Larkin is one of the league’s brightest prospects and both will be looking to impress Vera Pauw ahead of this summer's World Cup.

SHELBOURNE

Manager: Noel King

2022 league: First (60 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Winners

One to watch: Jessie Stapleton

Verdict: Second

The Drumcondra side have drafted in several new signings from the USA and Canada to replace the key players who departed over the winter. Noel King’s side won their final six games of 2022 to lift a second successive title by two points, and also beat Athlone in the cup final to capture the double. Three-time All-Ireland winner and former Ireland midfielder Siobhan Killeen is now back with the Reds, while 2022 Young Player of the Year Jessie Stapleton will be key to their three-in-a-row ambitions. Shels also have Champions League action to come later this year, and were beaten by Athlone on penalties in last weekend’s inaugural President’s Cup.

SLIGO ROVERS

Manager: Steve Feeney

2022 league: Eight (20 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Quarter-final

One to watch: Emma Doherty

Verdict: Ninth

The Bit O’Red won just six games in 27 last season, but did prove their worth with impressive wins over Shelbourne, Wexford and Peamount. Ireland U-19 forward Emma Doherty will be key to their chances after her 11 goals last term earned her a 2022 Team of the Year place. Midfielder Lauren Boles played every minute of last season and will be crucial if Sligo are to kick on this term.

TREATY UNITED

Manager: Alban Hysa

2022 league: Tenth (Two points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: First Round

One to watch: Katie Lawlee

Verdict: Eleventh

Alban Hysa became Treaty boss last December after a successful spell with Peamount’s U-19 side, guiding them to the U-19 cup and league semi-final. After Treaty picked up just two points from 27 games last term, Hysa will hope his side can improve on all fronts. Ireland U-16 cap Katie Lawlee is one to look out for, while new Canadian trio Kiara Kilbey, Hailey Walsh and Cooper Lee-Lane will look to make an impact too.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Manager: Stephen Quinn

2022 league: Fourth (56 points)

2022 Women’s FAI Cup: Semi-finals

One to watch: Emily Corbet

Verdict: First

After a 4-0 defeat to Shelbourne on the final day of last season denied Youths a first title since 2018, Quinn’s side will be seeking revenge this term. Emily Corbet’s arrival is a huge boost to the four-time champions, after hitting 23 goals in all competitions last season. Two-time Player of the Year Rianna Jarrett has returned from England too and will also be a huge threat up front, while key midfielder Ellen Molloy is set to return from a knee injury this summer.

Women’s Premier Division Round One

Saturday March 4

Galway United v Wexford Youths, 2.0

Shelbourne v Cork City, 2.0

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, 5.0

Treaty United v Bohemians, 5.0

Athlone Town v Peamount United, 7.0