The LGFA has confirmed the start date and format of Lidl Ladies National Football League.
The competition is due to get underway on the weekend of May 23 and the divisions have been split into four-team sections (with the exception of Division 4B) on a regional basis in order to minimise travelling for competing teams given the pandemic.
Last year’s All-Ireland finalists Dublin and Cork have both been placed in Division 1B. Dublin completed the four-in-a-row in December but with the League not having been completed last year due to the outbreak of Covid-19 last spring, Cork remain the reigning champions having won the last full staging in 2019.
Three rounds of group fixtures, which will be confirmed at a later date, will be played on consecutive weekends, with the semi-finals scheduled for June 13.
There will then follow a two-week break before the Lidl National League Finals are played on June 27.
The GAA is expected to announce its 2021 inter-county season schedule tomorrow, with a similar League format to the ladies game and a shortened Championship, with the All-Ireland finals set to be fixed for mid to late August.
2021 Lidl Ladies National Football League
Division 1A: Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Westmeath; Division 1B: Cork, Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford.
Division 2A: Kerry, Meath, Wexford, Clare; Division 2B: Tyrone, Monaghan, Armagh, Cavan.
Division 3A: Down, Roscommon, Sligo, Fermanagh; Division 3B: Kildare, Laois, Longford, Wicklow.
Division 4A: Louth, Leitrim, Antrim, Derry. Division 4B: Carlow, Offaly, Limerick.
Proposed Dates
Round 1 - May 23
Round 2 - May 30
Round 3 - June 6
Semi-finals - June 13
Finals - June 27
Note: Dates are set for a Sunday but may be played midweek or Saturday by agreement with both counties.
