Athlone to kick off new Under 17 Women's National League campaign

KAYLEY HARDIMAN

Athlone Town will play their first game in the new Under 17 Women's National League this Saturday, away to Donegal League (kick off 2pm)

Athlone will join Galway Women's, Limerick WFC, Sligo Rovers, UCD Waves, Cork City, Donegal League, Wexford Youths, Shelbourne and Peamount United in the new 11-team league. 

The teams have been divided into two groups. A short season will be played with the final matches running in September. The first full season will commence in March 2019. 

The league was recently launched with players attending from all the clubs above as well as  Republic of Ireland WNT internationals Heather Payne and Isibeal Atkinson, Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres General Sales Manager and FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin at the FAI National Training Centre.

Mr. Gavin said: “We're delighted to launch the league as some of our best young players from around the country will have a platform to play on. The level of women's football in this country continues to go from strength to strength which is shown through the progress of the national team. Half of the national squad is from the Women's National League so now more than ever, it is vitally important that we have an under-age national league.”