Family pride drives Shelbourne’s centre‑back duo ahead of Cup final

At Tallaght Stadium this afternoon, 37‑year‑old Pearl Slattery will lead Shelbourne’s women’s side against Athlone Town in the 2026 Women’s FAI Cup final, while 21‑year‑old centre‑back Nia Hannon steps onto the pitch for her first final appearance. The match kicks off at 3.30pm and promises a family‑filled showcase.

Family legacy and first final

Hannon’s mother, Cora, once wore the Shelbourne jersey and featured in a 1999 cup final loss to Shamrock Rovers, a 2‑0 defeat at the AUL Complex. “I think she played in a cup final against Shamrock Rovers, but they lost,” Hannon tells The 42.

Recalling a charity match where both played side‑by‑side, Hannon laughs, “It was weird, me and my Mam both in Shelbourne jerseys beside each other at the back! Not many get to say that, so it’s cool.”

Experience and ambition ahead of the final

Slattery reflects on her own history: “I’ve obviously had some great cup finals… Some you look back and you remember forever, and then you obviously have some where you’re picking yourself up off the floor. Tough defeats, but that’s football. You wouldn’t change it.”

She adds, “She’s been exceptional this year. She’s a brilliant person off the pitch… She’s a technically gifted centre‑back, good tackler, bringing aggression into her game now. It’s been a joy to see her come through.”

Athlone Town enter the final as historic three‑in‑a‑row League champions, meaning a potential double‑double for Shelbourne if they can spoil the party. Double‑digit attendance is expected at Tallaght Stadium.

Beyond soccer, Hannon is also a Gaelic football talent, having starred for the Dublin minor team and earned a senior panel call‑up in 2024. She left the Dublin panel after a month, telling manager Mick Bohan, “I think I was only with Dublin like a month, and I had to tell Mick Bohan that I was leaving. I’d say I was the first person in history to tell him within a month that I wasn’t staying!”

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