Waterford Ladies footballers set to start league campaign with away fixture up north

Waterford's Lauren McGregor. PIC: Sportsfile

placeholder image — Waterford's Lauren McGregor. PIC: Sportsfile

Waterford will play their matches this coming season in Division 1 and they will be travelling across the country.

Waterford will open their campaign with an away trip to Armagh on January 21, followed by a stern trip to holders Kerry the week after.

A home tie sees Waterford play host to Meath in Round 3, away to neighbours Cork in Round 4, before welcoming The Dubs on March 3.

Waterford round out the campaign with away trips out west to Galway and Mayo respectively. Should performances and results go their way, Waterford would be contesting the final on Sunday, April 7 at Croke Park.

Holders Kerry will begin the defence of their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 crown with a glamour clash against Dublin on the opening weekend of the 2024 campaign.

The two counties met in the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final, won by Dublin at Croke Park, and will renew acquaintances in Round 1 of the 2024 Lidl National League. Dublin will have home advantage for what promises to be an intriguing fixture to help kickstart the new campaign.

Division 1 also contains newly-promoted Armagh and 2023 runners-up Galway, while Waterford. Cork, Mayo and Meath make up the remainder of the top flight.

Divisions 2, 3 and 4 will each also contain eight teams in 2024, with the top two teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 progressing straight to their respective Finals, while there are semi-finals scheduled for Division 4 on Sunday March 24.

The Divisions 1 and 2 Finals will be played at Croke Park on Sunday April 7, with the Divisions 3 and 4 Finals scheduled for Saturday April 6.

Division 2 will contain Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal (relegated from Division 1 in 2023), Tipperary, Kildare (promoted from Division 3), Tyrone, 2023 runners-up Laois and Westmeath.

Division 3 is made up of Antrim (promoted from Division 4), Offaly, 2023 runners-up Clare, Roscommon (relegated from Division 2 in 2023), Down, Sligo, Louth and Wexford.

And Division 4 is comprised of Carlow, 2023 runners-up Leitrim, Derry, Limerick, Fermanagh, Longford (relegated from Division 3 in 2023), Kilkenny and Wicklow.