Energia Women's AIL
Energia Women's AIL
League Structure for the 2026/27 Season
Beginning next season, the Energia All‑Ireland League Women’s Division will move from 10-12 teams and will directly go to a 6:6 split structure, operating across Division 1A and Division 1B.
- Placings will be determined by finishing positions in the current season:
the top six ranked teams will compete in Division 1A, with the remaining teams forming Division 1B. - From the 2026/27 season onward, meritocracy will apply, with promotion and relegation between Divisions 1A and 1B, and between Division 1B and the provincial qualifying leagues.
- The promotion relegation between 1A and 1B will be decided as follows: The lowest ranked team in 1A will play off against the highest ranked team in 1B. The winner of this game will either retain their position in 1A or be promoted from 1B.
- Promotion from the qualifying leagues to 1B will be decided as follows: The 4 provincial qualifying league winners will play a semi-final and final series with the eventual winner playing in an All‑Ireland League play off against the lowest ranked team in 1B. The winner of this game will either retain their position in 1B or be promoted from their qualifying league to 1B.
In addition to the league, there will be a cup competition:
- The teams will be divided into three groups of four, playing three rounds.
- The top team from each group, along with the best runner-up overall, will progress to the semi-finals, followed by a final.
The IRFU will actively monitor league and provincial performance throughout the season. Should further adjustments be required in future years, Clubs and provinces will receive ample notice.
The review process will remain ongoing, with continuous engagement planned between the Committee, provincial representatives, and Clubs.
Previous Winners
The Women’s All-Ireland League was first contested in 1992/93 under the auspices of the Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union. Blackrock College RFC won the inaugural title and dominated the early seasons of the league winning three in a row from 94/95 to 96/97.
Creggs, Old Crescent, Cooke, Corinthians and Shannon also put their name on the cup up to 2001. Thereafter the tournament was dominated by UL Bohemian with the Limerick club winning a total of 11 titles in 12 seasons. More recently the league has seen the remergence of Blackrock as well as other Leinster clubs such as Old Belvedere and Railway Union.
The information on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge. Should you have any links or news relating to the early years of the Women's AIL please contact us by email here.
All Time Winners
UL Bohemian (16), Blackrock College RFC (6), Old Belvedere (3), Railway Union (2)
1992/93 – Blackrock College
1993/94 – Creggs
1994/95 – Blackrock College
1995/96 – Blackrock College
1996/97 – Blackrock College
1997/98 – Old Crescent
1998/99 – Cooke
1999/00 – Corinthians
2000/01 – Shannon
2001/02 - UL Bohemian 10 Shannon 8
2002/03 – UL Bohemian 12 Shannon 3
2003/04 – UL Bohemian Shannon (score?)
2004/05 – UL Bohemian 24 Blackrock College 15
2005/06 – UL Bohemian 21 Blackrock College 6
2006/07 – UL Bohemian 10 Highfield 8
2007/08 – Blackrock College 10 UL Bohemian 10 (Blackrock won on drop-goal shootout)
2008/09 – UL Bohemian 33 Blackrock College 7
2009/10 – UL Bohemian 17 Blackrock College 0
2010/11 – UL Bohemian (No playoff final, 11 wins in 11 games)
2011/12 – UL Bohemian (No playoff final, 10 wins in 10 games
2012/13 – UL Bohemian (No playoff final, 7 wins in 7 games)
2013/14 – Old Belvedere 39 Highfield 5
2014/15 – Old Belvedere 19 UL Bohemian 17
2015/16 – Old Belvedere UL Bohemian
2016/17 – UL Bohemian 10 Old Belvedere 0
2017/18 – UL Bohemian Old Belvedere
2018/19 – Railway Union 13 UL Bohemian 8
2019/20 - Tournament cancelled due to Covid
2020/21 – Covid
2021/22 – Railway 24 Blackrock 18
2022/23 – Blackrock 27 Railway Union 7
2023/24 - UL Bohemian 48 Railway Union 38
2024/25 - UL Bohemian 29 Railway Union 24
2025/26 UL Bohemian 32 Blackrock College 29