1956–57 National Football League (Ireland)

The 1956–57 National Football League was the 26th season of the National Football League, an annual Gaelic football competition involving the top Gaelic football teams in Ireland. It was notable for being won by Louth, who defeated Cork in the final. The league consisted of a group stage followed by knockout stages. The teams were divided into regional groups, with the top teams from each group progressing to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final. The league games were played under the rules of Gaelic football, as defined by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The outcome of the league provided an indication of the relative strengths of the various county teams in advance of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, which is considered the premier competition in Gaelic football. The 1956-57 season included matches played throughout the winter and spring months, culminating in the final played in the early spring.