2021 League of Ireland Start Set As SSE Airtricity Extend Sponsorship | Balls.ie

2021 League of Ireland Start Date Set As SSE Airtricity Extend Sponsorship

20 January 2021; (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been digitally manipulated to make a composite and was captured in full compliance with the Governments COVID-19 guidelines) At the announcement of SSE Airtricity as new title sponsor of the Womens National League and confirmation that Irelands largest provider of 100% green energy* will renew their sponsorship of the Mens SSE Airtricity League for the next two years is, from left, Drogheda United captain Jake Hyland, Peamount United captain Aine O'Gorman and Shamrock Rovers captain Ronan Finn. *Largest provider of 100% green energy claim and total TWh supplied to homes and businesses based on Electricity Market Share by MWh published by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Retail Market Reports for 2019. Issued by Sportsfile on behalf of FAI / SSE Airtricity

Share this article

The FAI have announced that the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season will start on March 19, with SSE Airtricity extending their sponsorship of the competition for a further two years.

The announcement also stated that SSE Airtricity is to become the title sponsor of the Women's National League, marking the first time both men's and women's leagues have been sponsored by the same company.

Discussions between clubs and the FAI had been drawn out since the end of the 2020 season, with clubs seeking clarity on the financial packages available to them for the 2021 season.

The league's start date has been pushed back over a month, with the hope that fans can return to grounds in some capacity sooner rather than later.

Recommended

March 19 is the start date for the League of Ireland Premier Division, with March 26 the start date for both the League of Ireland First Division and the Women's National League.

Speaking on the announcement, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill expressed his delight with the news that SSE Airtricity have continued, and subsequently expanded, their sponsorship of domestic football in Ireland.

“We are delighted that not only will SSE Airtricity continue as title sponsor for the League of Ireland for a 12th season but they have also extended their sponsorship deal to include the Women’s National League. The double sponsorship announcement today is testament to the future direction of our domestic game and a significant boost for our League football infrastructure.

“SSE Airtricity’s commitment to Women’s football will come as no surprise to those who know how quickly our Women’s game is growing and how much growth is still to come, not just at the highest level but at every age group in Ireland. SSE Airtricity's sponsorship to date set the standard and now they have raised the bar again with this agreement. We look forward to working with everyone at SSE Airtricity ahead of the new season in March and I thank them for their ongoing and significant support for Irish football.”