2007 Suzuki NFL Leagues Launched

An Taoiseach Launches New Format for 2007 Suzuki Ladies National Football League

An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD launched
the 2007 Suzuki Ladies National Football League at Croke Park today.
The 2007 Suzuki Ladies National Football League season will witness
a completely new format come into play with all 32 counties competing
across three divisions. 

The old format of four divisions has been replaced by three divisions
split into two pools made up of teams representing all 32 counties.
No second or third string county teams will compete in the 2007
league season.

Reigning Division 1 champions, Cork will be favourites again in
2007 following their back to back League and Championship successes
of 2005 and 2006. The Rebel County have not lost a match since losing
to Galway in the League in early 2005.

Cork will face stiff opposition in Division 1B from last years
beaten League finalists Meath and Galway, who lost to Cork in the
2005 League final.

Laois, last year’s winner of Division 2, are promoted to Division
1 and will line out in Division 1A alongside last year’s All Ireland
runners-up Armagh and annual contenders Mayo and Waterford.

The 2006 Division 3 winners, Clare, are promoted to Division 2A
and must contend with the likes of Sligo and Leitrim, who competed
in last year’s All Ireland Junior final, and will also face a rejuvenated
Dublin side, from whom big things are expected this year.

At the launch of the 2007 Suzuki Ladies National Football League,
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern said, “No one can be in any doubt
about the growth which ladies football in Ireland is currently enjoying
with nearly 120,000 registered members in 2006. We, in Government,
are delighted to see this healthy growth as we recognise the importance
of increasing the number of women participating in sport.

Under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme, the Government has given
priority to projects which demonstrate greater involvement of women
in that particular sport through the development of facilities.
Last year, I am pleased to say we allocated €314,000 to Cumann
Peile Gael na mBan under the Women in Sport Initiative, which you
used to fund three very successful projects. This was in addition
to core funding for the organisation of nearly €200,000. This
year’s allocation for the Women in Sport Initiative will be made
later in the year.”

“We are delighted and honoured to be sponsoring the Ladies
National Football League for a fifth successive year. It is the
hard work and dedication of the players, mentors, officials and
county boards that makes this league the huge success that it is,”
said Niall O’Gorman, General Manager, Suzuki Ireland.

Uachtarán Cuman Peil Gael na mBan, Geraldine Giles said,
“The new league format will bring a greater level of competitiveness
throughout the divisions. With all 32 counties competing in the
league, the new format will further facilitate the development of
our game and give all counties the opportunity to play competitive
inter-county football. We are looking forward to another great year
of exciting football”

 

For More Information:

Michael O’Keeffe, Pembroke Communications – 01 6496488 / 0878854072

David O’Siochain, Pembroke Communications – 01 6496322 / 0879362440

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information:

Division 1A	Division 1B
Armagh	Cork
Kerry	Donegal
Laois	Galway
Mayo	Kildare
Tyrone	Meath
Waterford	Monaghan
Division 2A	Division 2B
Clare	Down
Dublin	Longford
Limerick	Roscommon
Sligo	Tipperary
Leitrim	Wexford
Division 3A	Division 3B
Carlow	Antrim
Cavan	Derry
Fermanagh	Kilkenny
Louth	Westmeath
Offaly	Wicklow