Womens Development Programmes

Bus Eireann Women's National League Award Winners Announced

The Bus Éireann Women's National League Awards took place today at the Burlington Hotel. Minister of State, Michael Ring and UEFA Women's Football Co-Ordinator, Emily Shaw, presented the awards for Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and a very special Services to Football Award.

Peamount's Sara Lawlor was named as Bus Eireann Women's National League Player of the Year having formed part of the league's most devastating strike force contributing no fewer than 15 goals herself.

Emma Hansberry was chosen as the Bus Éireann Women's National League Young Player of the Year. Hansberry was a vital member of the Castlebar Celtic squad that provided some great moments in the inaugural year of the tournament. With 7 goals in her first year, Emma should be a star for years to come.

The Services to Football Award went to Brother Bernard Twomey. Brother Bernard is synonymous with the famous St. Catherine's club having been a founder member of the current National Senior Cup champions 32 years ago. Brother Bernard has dedicated his life to giving children the opportunity to play football at any level and has played an important role in the development of the women's game in this country.

The season draws to a close at Tallaght stadium this weekend when Shamrock Rovers take on newly crowned league champions, Peamount Utd, in the Bus Eireann Women's National League Cup Final with a 2pm kick off.

Bus Eireann Women's National League Player of the Year: Sara Lawlor (Peamount Utd.)

Bus Eireann Women's National League Young Player of the Year: Emma Hansberry (Castlebar Celtic)

Services to Football Award: Brother Bernard Twomey

Bus Éireann Women's National League All Star Team

Linda Meehan Peamount United

Seana Cooke Raheny United

Louise Quinn Peamount United

Emma Farmer Cork Women's FC

Nicola Dunphy Wexford Youths Womens AFC

Rebecca Creagh Raheny United

Denise O'Sullivan Cork Women's FC

Emma Hansberry Castlebar Celtic

Sara Lawlor Peamount United

Rachel Jenkins Shamrock Rovers

Stephanie Roche Peamount United

Peamount Utd win inaugural Bus Éireann Women's National League title

A single goal from Stephanie Roche in the 16th minute was enough to give Peamount Utd three points against Shamrock Rovers Women and lift the first Bus Éireann Women's National League title in the final series of the season. The win also gives Peamount qualification for UEFA Women's Champions League. Peamount had the upper hand throughout much of the first half but in the second half Shamrock Rovers showed plenty of resistance and physicality to remain just one goal adrift, thanks in part to some some great goal keeping from Sarah Devlin.

Elsewhere in the final series of matches Raheny beat Castlebar Celtic 5-2 and Cork Women's were held to a 1-1 draw by Wexford Youths Women.

*Expression of Interest*

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) invites expressions of interest from clubs/entities who may be interested in participating in the Bus Eireann Women’s National League.

Read more: Bus Eireann WNL Expression of Interest

The new Meath Soccer League for girls was officially launched last Saturday in the MDL, Trim Road, Navan where the U8 & U10 teams play and in St Patrick’s classical school where the U12 teams play.

The league is a developmental non competitive league run by the North East Counties School children’s league (NECSL) similar to the boys league for all ages U11.

Read more: New Meath Girls Soccer League