Exciting times for Hoops captain Connolly

Shamrock Rovers may be about to lift a 17^th league title and draw a close on their domestic season but for their women's team it is only just beginning.

Rovers are one of the six women's teams participating in the new Bus Éireann National Women's League which kick-offs on Sunday November 13^th when the Hoops take on Raheny United in Tallaght Stadium.

Captain Niamh Connolly was overjoyed at Thursday's league launch. She said: “I think it's a great opportunity for a really high quality women's league in Ireland.

“There has been a lot of quality soccer played by women in Ireland over the last while and this is bringing that all quality together.”

The league will start off with an initial six teams, Peamount United, Raheny United, Castlebar, Wexford Youths, Cork Women's and Rovers but Connolly hopes it will eventually expand.

“I think the six teams in the pilot season is okay because it really focuses on the quality but I definitely think in the next few years there is certainly the potential for more teams to join.”

Connolly's male counterparts have had a terrific season as they became the first club to make it to the group stages of a European Competition and look certain to wrap up a 17^th league title, but Connolly says that can only be good for the club as a whole.

“With Rovers having such a high profile men's team it benefits us and with Rovers being such a well known club it does put a little bit of pressure on us. Hopefully we can achieve something to rival their success,” she added.

Rovers are one of the six women's teams participating in the new Bus Éireann National Women's League which kick-offs on Sunday November 13^th when the Hoops take on Raheny United in Tallaght Stadium.

Captain Niamh Connolly was overjoyed at Thursday's league launch. She said: “I think it's a great opportunity for a really high quality women's league in Ireland.

“There has been a lot of quality soccer played by women in Ireland over the last while and this is bringing that all quality together.”

The league will start off with an initial six teams, Peamount United, Raheny Unites, Castlebar, Wexford Youth, Cork Women's and Rovers but Connolly hopes it will eventually expand.

“I think the six teams in the pilot season is okay because it really focuses on the quality but I definitely think in the next few years there is certainly the potential for more teams to join.”

Connolly's male counterparts have had a terrific season as they became the first club to make it to the group stages of a European Competition and look certain to wrap up a 17^th league title, but Connolly says that can only be good for the club as a whole.

“With Rovers having such a high profile men's team it benefits us and with Rovers being such a well known club it does put a little bit of pressure on us. Hopefully we can achieve something to rival their success,” she added.