Danielle Caldwell: Why shouldn't we be in the big stadiums too?

Mayo All-Star Danielle Caldwell believes a huge opportunity to showcase ladies football is being wasted by not staging more male-female National League doubleheaders.

The reigning Connacht champions are fifth in Division 1 and are hoping for a win over league leaders Armagh this weekend to ease relegation fears.

Back-to-back All-Star Caldwell said the quality in the division is at an all-time high, but remains frustrated that more hasn't been done to showcase the games.

She said doubling up Mayo's home games with the men's matches in Castlebar is an obvious move which should have been made by now.

"Why shouldn't we be in the big stadiums too?" asked Caldwell at the launch of John West Feile 2024.

"If we could have facilitation of double headers...it's the 'Can't see it, can't be it' thing. If we have these double headers that would facilitate being seen, which would get our numbers up, which would then bring revenue.

"They're my two things (I want); facilities and double headers.

"And this year there's been so many opportunities for double headers with Mayo alone; the Galway, Kerry and Dublin games could have been double headers.

"Obviously someone in the LGFA is making these fixtures on the same weekends, the same dates, but they're not being facilitated.

"I don't know the reasoning behind why they're not. I know it is a very hard situation to navigate. But the only people that suffer are the players, we don't get as many viewers at our games.

"I just envision that double headers will increase our viewing, and the whole development of the ladies game. That would be a huge advantage for the ladies game."

Mayo are being managed this year by local icon Liam McHale and his challenge is to build on their march to the last three