Louth School Girls League all set for 2026 season

Girls across Louth are looking forward to another exciting season of football as the Louth School Girls League (LSGL) prepares to kick off its 2026 season this weekend (11/12 April).

The LSGL offers age-appropriate football to well over a thousand girls across Louth and beyond, from under-7s (2019) up to under-16s (2010).

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Founded in 2019, the LSGL has grown year on year and, this season, boasts over 80 teams across its 18 member clubs, with over 1,200 girls playing football across the league every weekend.

The youngest players get to enjoy small-sided blitzes in a fun environment designed to help nurture a love of the sport, whilst under-10s will play friendly seven-a-side home and away matches without any pressure over results, points or league tables.

This is also the case for under-11s, who this season will play 9v9 friendly matches before taking part in cup and shield competitions later in the season.

League tables are introduced at the under-12s age group, who also play in the 9v9 format, designed to bridge the gap to the traditional 11-a-side format that comes into play at under-13s.

A change of format to the LSGL season will see cup and shield competition run concurrently with the league season for the first time, with all competitions running through until the autumn.

The league season will climax at the LSGL Finals Weekend, which is scheduled to take place at Oriel Park, the home of Dundalk FC, for the fourth consecutive year.

The Louth School Girls League continues to thrive thanks to the tireless work of coaches and other volunteers across its member clubs, whose work provides the opportunity for all girls to get involved in the beautiful game, regardless of ability.

Whilst the LSGL seeks to provide football for all, there is also a clear pathway for the most talented players to progress within the game.

Over 20 former LSGL players now play for League of Ireland underage teams, with a number of players progressing to sign professional contracts. Several of the league's former stars have also represented Ireland at underage level.

The pathway is there for these players thanks to the LSGL's Talent Development Academy, which gives the league's best players the opportunity to compete nationally against representative teams from leagues around the country, and in prestigious tournaments at home and abroad.

Just last weekend, the academy's two under-12s teams travelled to the UK to compete in the Blackpool Cup.

In May, the under-13s team will make their own visit to the next edition of the Blackpool Cup, whilst in June, the under-14s will compete in the famous Gaynor Cup at the University of Limerick.

In July, the under-16s squad travel to Sweden in July to compete in the prestigious Gothia Cup.

The growth of the LSGL has been driven by a dedicated league committee, which this season has a new chairperson.

Founding LSGL committee member and Castletown Belles chairperson Andrew Gallagher was voted in as LSGL chairperson for the 2026 season, taking over from Robbie Corr, who had chaired the committee since the league formed in 2019.

With the start of the new season delayed this year due to the heavy rainfall in January and February, the new chairperson says that everyone in the league can't wait to get going.

"We're all so excited for the start of our eighth season in the LSGL, which promises to be our biggest and best yet," said Gallagher.

"We've over 1,000 girls ready to lace up their boots this weekend across the length and breadth of Louth and beyond, and we know that the girls are all raring to go.

"The LSGL has come so far in seven years, driven by our army of our coaches and volunteers across the league.

"The fact that so many girls enjoy playing football across the county is a testament to their hard work, and we want to keep building on that great work and continuing to grow and develop every year.

"We believe that every girl in Louth should have the opportunity to enjoy organised, age-appropriate football and, whatever their level of ability, we strive to provide them with the structures so that they can enjoy the beautiful game.

"For the league's most talented players, the academy provides the pathway to reach their potential within the game, but the LSGL is here for everyone.

"Even if you've never played the game before, the LSGL is here for you. We've so many girls enjoying their football every weekend, and we'd love for you to join them."

Any girls who wish to get involved in the LSGL this season can find their local club and all the information they need on the LSGL website at www.lsgl.ie.

The LSGL is grateful to their lead sponsor, Dundalk Credit Union, along with the FAI and Louth Sports Partnership, whose support continues to help the league go from strength to strength.

Opening weekend league fixtures:

Saturday 11 April:

Under-13s

Balrath vs Drogheda Town

Glenmuir United vs Bellurgan United

Rock Celtic vs Quay Celtic

Walshestown vs Albion Rovers

Bye week: Castletown Belles

Under-15s

Albion Rovers vs Bellurgan United

East Meath United vs Laytown United

Termonfeckin Celtic vs Balrath

Bye week: Castletown Belles

Sunday 12 April:

Under-12s Major

Rock Celtic White vs Blayney Academy

Walshestown vs Castletown Belles

Bye Week: Bellurgan United Red

Under-12s Major 1

Albion Rovers vs East Meath United

Bellurgan United Black vs Glenmuir United

Rock Celtic Red vs Quay Celtic

Under-14s Major

Balrath vs Albion Rovers

Bellurgan United vs Rock Celtic

Quay Celtic vs East Meath United

Under-14s Major 1

Drogheda Town vs Castletown Belles

Blayney Academy vs Quay Olympic

Termonfeckin Celtic vs Ardee Celtic

Under-16s

Bellurgan United vs Glenmuir United

DRFC* vs Castletown Belles

Quay Celtic P-P Blayney Academy (rescheduled for 7 May)

Termonfeckin Celtic vs Albion Rovers

*Dromin United & Rock Celtic combined to form a team at this age group

Under-11s Friendlies - Saturday 11 April (provisional)

Balrath vs Ardee Celtic

Castletown Belles vs Bellurgan United

Glenmuir United vs Blayney Academy

Quay Celtic vs Rock Celtic

Walshestown vs Albion Rovers