Women FAI Cup final pits Athlone Town's chase against Shelbourne

Athlone Town and Shelbourne will meet at Tallaght Stadium at 3.30pm for the Club Orange Women’s FAI Cup final, the fourth clash in five seasons on the women’s domestic calendar. Both sides arrive with contrasting fortunes – Athlone have just secured the League title, while Shelbourne hope to derail the double.

Athlone Town eye second double

Athlone were crowned League champions last night when Galway United, the only side that could still have caught them, slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Wexford. The title win leaves the club on the cusp of a second double in a row.

There is a familiar respect between the rivals, but the occasion promises a fierce edge as the two clubs meet again on a blue‑riband day for the women’s game.

Managerial changes and player stories

Republic of Ireland midfielder Lily Agg is now in the hot seat after last season’s double‑winning boss John O’Sullivan departed just one game into the campaign. Former Treaty United manager Sean Russell took over Shelbourne last November following Eoin Wearen’s exit.

Agg’s journey has been extraordinary. She suffered an ACL injury in January 2025, which led to a melanoma‑in‑situ diagnosis after a suspicious mole was spotted during surgery. After returning in April, she scored the opening goal for Durham against Nottingham Forest, only to rupture her Achilles two minutes later.

Twenty‑four hours before her injury, Agg had been named in Carla Ward’s Republic of Ireland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Poland, a setback she described as “my heart is broken and my head hurts”. In May, Athlone announced her appointment as manager, and she has hinted she may still pursue a place in Ward’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

Shelbourne’s experience and past finals

Shelbourne’s skipper Pearl Slattery will line up in her tenth FAI Cup final, joined by seasoned players Rachel Graham and Jess Gargan, as well as midfield dynamo Alex Kavanagh and silky‑footed Isabella Flocchini.

Younger talents such as Halle Harcourt and Maeve Wollmer add fresh energy, while former Shelbourne star Noelle Murray, now with Athlone after a shrewd winter signing, and returning Dana Scheriff have filled the void left by Kelly Brady, who moved to Crystal Palace after a prolific League of Ireland campaign.

Shelbourne were still in the title race until back‑to‑back defeats to Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers, and they have only drawn Athlone 1‑1 in July this season. A league meeting at Tolka Park next month will be a formality, as the league is already decided.

The last final between the two clubs in 2024 saw Shelbourne romp to a 6‑1 win in dreadful conditions, while the 2023 decider was settled by a penalty shoot‑out win for Athlone. A similar fate could await today.

Lily Agg (Athlone Town): “Everyone loves a rivalry. Hopefully it will have a bit of edge and fans will be in the stands cheering for both teams and make it a really good environment that players want to be playing in. We know it’s going to be a competitive game.”

Sean Russell (Shelbourne): “This has a different energy from any other week. It was great being out in Tallaght for the media day during the week and the excitement is palpable. I think we are the underdogs heading into this game, but we can use that tag as fuel.”

Shelbourne are missing Maggie Pearce, but manager Russell has a full squad to choose from for the final.