Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football Leagues Remodelled for 2010

Ladies Gaelic Football has expanded the league format from three divisions to four in order to increase competition across the divisions and to ensure the continual development of emerging counties.

A streamlined Division 1 has been reduced to eight teams from the 12 that competed in the top division in 2009. There will now be eight teams competing in all four divisions with the top four teams in each division qualifying for the knock-out stages.

Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Galway. Laois, Mayo, Monaghan and Tyrone will compete for the Division 1 title. Round 1 sees a replay of last year's thrilling All-Ireland Final between Cork and Dublin as the Rebelettes seek to get their league title defence off to a winning start.

The eight teams competing for promotion and the Division 2 title are Armagh, Clare, Donegal, Down, Kildare, Meath, Sligo and Tipperary. Last year's Division 2 winners Down will be looking to push for promotion while the tie of the opening round is an all-Leinster affair between Kildare and Meath.

Division 3 will be contested by Cavan, Fermanagh, Longford, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. Waterford are the sleeping giants in Division 3 having won the Division 1 title five times in the past while Fermanagh will want to build on their All-Ireland Intermediate Final appearance.

Antrim, Carlow, Derry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth and Offaly make up the new re-constituted Division 4. Reigning Junior All-Ireland champions Antrim will face a tough task in securing promotion with Derry, Leitrim and Limerick all contesting for honours in recent years.

Pat Quill, Uactharán Peil Gael na mBán, said, “Ladies Football is constantly looking at ways to improve the inter-county structures so that each team gets as many competitive games as possible. It is as important for the country's top counties as it is for developing counties. As ever our game is indebted to our sponsor Bord Gáis Energy who have enabled Ladies Football to continue to develop and improve our National Leagues.”

David Bunworth, Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy said, “Bord Gáis Energy is very proud to be embarking on the second year of its partnership with the Ladies National Football Leagues. Our commitment to Gaelic Games is very strong and our involvement with ladies football, the fastest growing female sport in Ireland, plays a very significant part in this. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association is a very progressive organisation and this is something that sits very well with our own Bord Gáis Energy brand.”

The highly popular Bord Gáis Energy Team of the League awards return for the new season. The top performers in each position are selected in a dream team for their respective divisions.

In addition, a new Manager of the Month scheme is to be introduced in 2010 which will cover all four divisions. Ladies Football and Bord Gáis Energy have set up the scheme to recognise the achievements of the inter-county Bainisteoir and a Manager of the League award will be presented at the end of the league campaign.

Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy said, “The 2009 Leagues were hugely competitive and I'm looking forward to another exciting season of ladies football in 2010. We are delighted to be supporting ladies football and to be expanding the popular Bord Gáis Energy Teams of the League to cover all four divisions in 2010.

“The new Bord Gáis Energy Manager of the Month and Manager of the League awards add a new dimension to the competition this year and will rightly honour the special achievements of inter-county managers throughout the campaign.”

ENDS

Division 1 Teams
Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Galway, Laois, Mayo, Monaghan, Tyrone

Division 2 Teams
Armagh, Clare, Donegal, Down, Kildare, Meath, Sligo, Tipperary

Division 3 Teams
Cavan, Fermanagh, Longford, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Division 4 Teams
Antrim, Carlow, Derry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Offaly

For Additional Information:
Patricia Monahan, Ladies Gaelic Football Tel: 01 865 8641
David O'Siochain, Pembroke Communications Tel: 01 649 6322 / 087 936 2440
Stiofáin MacDháibhéad, Bord Gáis Energy Tel: 01 602 1116 / 087 7991206

www.ladiesgaelic.ie
www.bordgaisenergy.ie
Additional Information:

Opening Round Fixtures – Sunday 7th February, 2010

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 1 Fixtures
Cork v Dublin
Kerry v Galway
Laois v Mayo
Tyrone v Monaghan

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 2 Fixtures
Clare v Armagh
Donegal v Down
Kildare v Meath
Sligo v Tipperary

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 3 Fixtures
Cavan v Fermanagh
Longford v Roscommon
Wicklow v Waterford
Wexford v Westmeath

Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 4 Fixtures
Derry v Antrim
Carlow v Kilkenny
Louth v Limerick
Leitrim v Offaly