Mayo FC set to become part of new League of Ireland system

The League of Ireland have confirmed that Mayo FC are one of the sides set to join a new women's development league set to be introduced for the 2026 season.

The development will see the current 12 Premier Division clubs fielding under-23 sides, with ten clubs (including Mayo FC) filling the remaining slots.

The UEFA-backed league will act as a valuable pathway for current League of Ireland clubs to integrate academy prospects into senior football, while also giving clubs that are without a senior side at present the opportunity to take a crucial step in their evolution.

The league will be split into two eleven-team region-based groups. Mayo FC will be in Group One alongside Athlone Town, Bohemians, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Galway United, Longford Town, Peamount United, Shelbourne, and Sligo Rovers.

Each club will play the other ten clubs home and away. There will be no promotion to the Women's Premier Division in the first season. However, this will be reviewed at a later date according to the FAI.

The ten new senior clubs will also play in the FAI Cup, entering the competition at the first round.

Mark Scanlon, Director of the League of Ireland, welcomed the introduction of the new competition.

 “It’s exciting to see the continued development of the League of Ireland with this expansion helping to elevate ten more clubs to senior level in the women’s domestic game and creating a bridge between Academy and Senior football," he stated.

“The clubs stepping up to this new Women’s Development League deserve huge credit for the work that they have done whilst being part of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Development Programme over recent years.

"This new tier will provide greater opportunities for players and coaches to develop, as well as bringing League of Ireland football at women’s senior level to more communities around the country.”