Avenir Sports are back as title sponsors of the All-Island Cup ahead of the competition kicking off this weekend for the 2024 campaign.
The leading performance analysis company in Ireland, Avenir Sports work directly with clubs in both the League of Ireland and Northern Ireland Football League and are sponsoring this competition for its second year.
It has also been confirmed that TG4 will provide a live broadcast of this year's Final to further increase coverage of the competition
With 16 teams taking part - 11 from the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, 5 from the Sports Direct Women's Premiership - this year promises to be just as exciting with Galway United determined to defend the trophy that they lifted last July after overcoming Cliftonville Ladies.
The first round of games takes place this weekend with Galway starting with a local derby against Sligo Rovers, while Cliftonville begin at home to Shelbourne in Solitude.
SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions Peamount United get going in Group A with the visit of Linfield Women to PRL Park and Glentoran Women play host to Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup winners Athlone Town in Blanchflower Stadium.
Once the Group stages are complete, the quarter-finals ties will take place on week ending June 23rd before the competition moves to the semi-finals on week ending July 21st and then finishing with the Final on week ending August 18th.
Tommy Conneely, owner of Avenir Sports, said of sponsoring the competition: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with the FAI by sponsoring the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup once again.
"Avenir Sports is committed to helping coaches and players to enhance their skills, working closely with teams at all levels—from grassroots to the senior men’s and women’s national teams in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Collaboration is something that we believe is key for success at Avenir Sports, and this tournament is a testament to the remarkable outcomes that can be achieved through the joint efforts of the LOI and NIFL.
"We are delighted to help provide an exciting platform for the top women’s footballers on the island to showcase their talents and we look forward to seeing what this year’s tournament brings.”
A launch of the 2024 Avenir Sports All-Island Cup took place at FAI HQ on Thursday with Galway captain Lynsey McKey joined by Shelbourne's Lucy O'Rourke, Bohemians' Aoibhe Brennan, Peamount United's Louise Masterson, Cliftonville's Vicky Carleton and Glentoran's Aimee Neal along with Glentoran Head Coach Kim Turner, Crusaders Strikers Head Coach Jonathan Tuffey and Lisburn Ladies Head Coach Phil Lewis.
2024 Avenir Sports All-Island Cup
Match Day 1
Saturday, March 23 | Group A | Peamount United v Linfield Women, PRL Park, KO 17:00
Saturday, March 23 | Group B | Cork City v Wexford, Ferrycarrig Park, KO 18:00*
Saturday, March 23 | Group C | DLR Waves v Crusaders Strikers, Whitehall Stadium, KO 15:00
Saturday, March 23 | Group C | Treaty United v Shamrock Rovers, Markets Field, KO 17:00
Saturday, March 23 | Group D | Sligo Rovers v Galway United, The Showgrounds, KO 19:00
Sunday, March 24 | Group A | Bohemians v Lisburn Ladies, Dalymount Park, KO 15:00
Sunday, March 24 | Group B | Cliftonville Ladies v Shelbourne, Solitude, KO 14:00
Sunday, March 24 | Group D | Glentoran Women v Athlone Town, Blanchflower Stadium, KO 16:30
*Due to pitch maintenance in Turner's Cross, this fixture will be played in Ferrycarrig Park.
