The SSE Airtricity Premier & First Division and Women’s National League 2022 season has been launched

Football is set to return with the SSE Airtricity Premier & First Division to get underway on Friday, February 18, and the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League to commence on Saturday, March 5.

The 2022 League launch at HBV Studios, Dublin happened earlier today with all players and managers from across the three divisions. The launch continues this evening with the League Launch Live Show, hosted by Marie Crowe with pundits Conan Byrne, Alan Cawley, Ruth Fahy and Rebecca Creagh, set to be broadcast on LOITV at 6pm this evening.

Watch here: https://www.loitv.ie/en-int/playerpage/1241439

LOITV will continue its coverage of all three divisions with the SSE Airtricity Premier Division set to receive an enhanced two-camera set-up. It means every game throughout the three divisions will be broadcast and available to watch, with the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League fixtures FREE to watch with registration.

TG4 are set to continue their support of the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League with nine live matches in the 2022 season, with the FAI Women’s Cup Final set to be live on RTE. RTE continue their support of the League of Ireland with 15 Premier Division live fixtures and three additional Extra.ie FAI Cup matches.

The SSE Airtricity Women’s National League is set for a ground-breaking season as Sligo Rovers enter the competition to make the division a 10-team league, meaning 27-matches scheduled per team.

SSE Airtricity Premier Division Champions Shamrock Rovers will kick-off the domestic season against Extra.ie FAI Cup holders St. Patrick’s Athletic in the 2022 President’s Cup Final on Friday, February 11, with the match live and FREE to view on LOITV.

“We’re delighted to officially launch the 2022 season with plenty of action to look forward to across the three divisions,” said League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon, speaking at the league launch.

“We’ve seen an incredible amount of excitement across the country ahead of the season with incredible season ticket sales in the SSE Airtricity Premier & First Division. It is set to be a ground-breaking year for the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League as well, with Sligo Rovers joining the league to make it a 10-team division.

“We’re delighted to announce TG4 & RTE continued support of the domestic game with 15 live SSE Airtricity Premier Division matches, nine live SSE Airtricity Women’s National League fixtures, three Extra.ie FAI Cup ties and the Evoke.ie FAI Women’s Cup final all live on terrestrial TV.

“To celebrate the launch of the 2022 season, we’ve got a special League Launch Live Show to be broadcast on LOITV this evening and we look forward to start of the season at the President’s Cup Final on Friday.”

Also in attendance at the 2022 League Launch was David Manning, Director of Customer Marketing SSE Airtricity, “As title sponsor, SSE Airtricity is looking forward to another exciting season for the Leagues. Last year we extended our sponsorship to the women’s league for the first time – acknowledging the commitment and determination within both the men’s and women’s game – and it couldn’t have been a better season.

“For the 2022 season we look forward to celebrating even more success, including the promotion of UCD and Shelbourne FC to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division and Sligo Rovers joining the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League; and we’re delighted to see TG4 extend coverage of the league this season.

“At SSE Airtricity, we are Ireland’s largest provider of green energy, and the leagues create an opportunity for us to work with the clubs and the fans to support their sustainability efforts. In doing so, this year we’ll also be celebrating everything that makes our league different – the closeness to our national league between player, supporter, club and community, that few other leagues can rival We’re looking forward to another great season and wish the players, clubs and supporters the very best of luck for 2022.”

Laura Lynch, Bank of Ireland Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We are delighted to see the League of Ireland launched today and we would like to extend our best wishes to all in the season ahead.”