WNL Shield
 |
|
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Country |
 Ireland
|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of teams | 7 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Domestic cup(s) | FAI Women's Cup |
| International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League |
| Current champions |
Shelbourne Ladies (2016) |
| Most championships |
Wexford Youths (2) Raheny United (2) |
| Website | WNL.FAI.ie |
 2017 season
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The Women's National League (WNL) (Irish: Sraith Náisiúnta na mBan; known as the Continental Tyres Women's National League for sponsorship reasons) is the top level league for women's association football in the Republic of Ireland. It is organised by the Football Association of Ireland and the Women's Football Association of Ireland. The FAI/WFAI previously organised a women's national league known as the Ladies League of Ireland or the Woman's League of Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. The current league was founded in 2011 and the inaugural winners were Peamount United. The winners qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
The FAI/WFAI first organised a women's national league in 1973. It was known as the Ladies League of Ireland or the Woman's League of Ireland. Twelve teams were originally invited to participate. These included several teams associated with clubs in the men's League of Ireland such as Dundalk, Finn Harps, Cork Celtic, Limerick and Sligo Rovers. Others included Benfica, Evergreen (Kilkenny), Avengers (Dublin), Cahir Park (Tipperary) and three teams from Galway – Beejays, Happy Wanderers and Wasps. The league started in March 1973 and teams played thirty five minute halves. As the league got started, there were some changes and dropouts. Cahir Park defeated Elms United, a fourth team from Galway, 1–0 at West Park, Galway, in the very first Ladies League of Ireland game on Sunday, March 4, 1973. Evergreen (Kilkenny) withdrew after losing their first three games, although a Kilkenny team did compete in the 1974 season. Benfica played an away game at Finn Harps as part of a double header before a 1972–73 League of Ireland game between Finn Harps and Waterford. Limerick finished the 1973 season as champions after going unbeaten in a fifteen match series. In a post season friendly they lost 3–1 to a touring Stade de Rheims at Markets Field.
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