The League of Ireland women’s domestic season gets underway this Sunday with the women’s President’s Cup.
Double winners Athlone Town face Shelbourne at the Athlone Town Stadium, kick-off is 2pm.
John Sullivan’s Athlone Town will be looking to set the tone early doors for 2026, following last year’s League title & Cup win.
The Town will be without last season’s top scorer, Kelly Brady. Brady moved across the water to Crystal Palace earlier this year.
Brady had a 19-goal league campaign, helped secure the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division player of the year award.
Double holders host the women's President's cup
Athlone have retained the bulk of the double winning squad. Whereas, former Shels stalwart Noelle Murray, Dana Sheriff and Courtney Maguire arrive. Alongside two signings from Shamrock Rovers in Melissa O’Kane and Aimee Neal.
Whereas, the Reds arrive on Sunday looking to retain the Women’s President’s Cup, having claimed the trophy for the first time last year.
Shelbourne have significantly changed their squad over the off-season. New head coach Seán Russell joined in late 2025, following an impressive spell in charge of Treaty United.
Russell inherits a squad, finishing as league runners-up in each of the past three SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division seasons.
23-year-old striker Brie Severns is the latest addition to Russell’s panel. Whereas, Olivia Damico is also among the new arrivals, alongside the re-signings of Keeva Keenan and Leah Doyle.
Athlone won the first two editions of the Women’s President’s Cup, while Shelbourne claimed the trophy last year at Tolka Park.
Athlone have appeared in all editions of the Women’s President’s Cup since 2023. The sides have met in two of the last three Women’s President’s Cups.
Athlone Town Squad: Maria Matthaiou, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Chloe Singleton, Dana Scheriff, Noelle Murray, Kerryanne Brown, Courtney Maguire, Roisin Molloy, Isabel Ryan, Emma Mooney, Madie Gibson, Aimee Neal, Alexis Strickland, Niamh Dundon, Hazel Donegan, Melissa O'Kane, Danielle O'Neill, Muireann Daly, Michaela Hand, Lucy Fitzgerald, Mary-Kate Maher, Hope Glynn, Siva Malasoo, Olivia Killackey
Head Coach: John Sullivan
Shelbourne Squad: Mya Sanchez, Keeva Keenan, Leah Doyle, Pearl Slattery, Nia Hannon, Alex Kavanagh, Becky Watkins, Rachel Graham, Kate Mooney, Emily Kraft, Maeve Wollmer, Jess Gargan, Sarah McCaffrey, Aoibheann Clancy, Aoife Kelly, Madeleine McKinley, Jenna Willoughby, Lucy O’Rourke, Jade Flannery, Halle Harcourt, Caoimhe O’Brien, Brie Severns, Lara Whelan, Maggie Pierce, Olivia Damico.
Head Coach: Seán Russell
