Women’s Gaelic football, with its humble beginnings in the 1920s, struggled to gain serious support in its early years and was often seen as a novelty. However, it was the importance of the 1960s, a decade that saw the emergence of local tournaments and a burgeoning grassroots enthusiasm, laying the foundation for structured play and the sport’s future growth.
Foundations & Formation
The Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) was founded in the summer of 1974, almost 90 years after the men’s GAA. The LGFA provided a formal structure, and in October 1974, Tipperary won the first All‑Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championship.
The GAA then recognised the LGFA eight years later in 1982, cementing its place in Irish sport. In 1986, the first final was held at Croke Park and in the latter years of the 1980s and throughout the 1990s, a strong rise in competitiveness occurred among county teams such as Kerry, Waterford, Mayo and Monaghan.
Expansion & Growth in the Modern Era
Today, Ladies’ Gaelic football is among Europe’s fastest‑growing women’s sports, with nearly 200,000 members in around 1,000 clubs in Ireland and internationally. The sport’s popularity has soared since the 2010s, especially through record attendances at All‑Ireland finals. In 2017, attendance at Croke Park was 46,286. That rose to 56,114 in 2019, making it one of Europe’s most attended women’s sporting events.
Just recently, at the beginning of the month, the senior championship final drew 48,089 spectators as Dublin defeated Meath 2-16 to 0-10 on 3 August, retaining their title in front of a third‑highest ever crowd.
The 2025 Championship: Structure & Results
The 2025 All‑Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championship involved twelve counties, entering via provincial round‑robins, followed by group stages and knockout rounds. Relegation play‑offs determine movement between the intermediate and senior tiers, while junior and intermediate competitions run alongside in early August.
On finals day, Louth claimed the junior title by beating Antrim 0‑13 to 1‑8. Tyrone won the Intermediate final, defeating Laois 2‑16 to 1‑13.
In the senior final, Dublin’s commanding scoreline, as already shown earlier in the article, was built by forwards such as Hannah Tyrrell, Kate Sullivan and captain Carla Rowe, who together contributed 0‑13. Player of the match Orlagh Nolan made a remarkable comeback from an ACL injury to reinforce the scoreline and ensure the capital-based side triumphed.
Key Developments in 2025
The LGFA continues its development strategy and county boards operate development committees focusing on coach education, volunteer training, club‑school links, player pathways, games development and referee support. There are active initiatives such as Gaelic4Girls, Gaelic4Teens, and Gaelic4Mothers & Others that encourage wide participation across age groups.
The popularity of LGFA’s national leagues remains strong. In the 2025 Lidl Ladies’ National Football League, Kerry secured their thirteenth Division 1 title, defeating Armagh in the final. Teams from Galway and Waterford also featured prominently in all‑star selections for the division, too.
As interest in the sport grows, so too does its relevance in the betting landscape – including GAA betting odds at BoyleSports, which now reflect the increasing competitiveness across women’s Gaelic football competitions.
Social & Cultural Transformation
The sport’s path from novelty to national asset mirrors changing attitudes in Ireland. From marginalised beginnings, women’s Gaelic football has become a celebrated fixture no matter who is contesting. It is now widely viewed as Ireland’s most important women’s team sport, drawing record crowds and wide media interest.
In recent years, academic and literary focus on the sport has increased. One example is Unladylike: A History of Ladies Gaelic Football by Hayley Kilgallon (2024), charting the long journey from marginalised pastimes to modern prominence.
Media coverage plays a vital role, too. TG4 broadcasts all senior championship games live and streams content via YouTube and other platforms. TG4 continues sponsorship and coverage, emphasising its commitment to women’s sport. Finals day also now features a triple header at Croke Park, showcasing inter‑county talent across junior, intermediate and senior levels.
Shifts in broadcasting strategy and digital platforms reflect broader change. The GAA is integrating women’s Gaelic football more deeply into its structures, and plans include merging the LGFA with the GAA and camogie bodies.
International Reach & Influence
While Ireland remains the sport’s centre, women’s Gaelic football thrives in other regions. Players of Irish heritage compete across Britain, North America, Australia and Europe. In Australia, young athletes have emerged in South Australia’s Gaelic clubs. Rising stars like Lauren Frost and Tom Dermody represent the sport at the Australasian Games and beyond.
The connection sees many players move between Gaelic football and AFLW leagues in Australia. Irish players have made significant impacts in the AFLW, including All‑Australian selection, showcasing the versatility and skill fostered in Gaelic football structures.
Why It Matters
Women’s Gaelic football has transformed from a sidelined curiosity to a vibrant sport with huge cultural resonance. It offers girls and women pathways to participate in high‑quality, organised sport at local, county and international levels. It also broadens athletic opportunities and provides visible role models.
From grassroots development in primary schools to elite finals at Croke Park, the sport delivers on sport, health, community and equality. Broadcasts and social media give fans access across Ireland and the diaspora, while structured development ensures sustained growth.
The 2025 season is evidence of how far the sport has come. Dublin’s senior final win, competition across junior and intermediate tiers, expanding leagues, continued bumper crowds, and dedicated programmes point to a blueprint for inclusive, national sporting success.
Looking Ahead
Women’s Gaelic football continues to evolve. LGFA initiatives emphasise club renewal and growing links, while integration of LGFA into the wider GAA structure opens new organisational possibilities.
