Season 6 continues as Breifne Earley, Aaron Clarke and former Irish international Meabh De Burca look back at the opening weekend of action in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division.

All match footage included in this episode is provided by licence and with thanks to the Football Association of Ireland, the League of Ireland and its broadcast partners TG4 and LOITV.

The episode begins at Tolka Park where champions Shelbourne opened their title defence with a 2–0 win over Treaty United. The panel discuss Aoife Kelly’s early season opener, a superb save from Treaty goalkeeper Mya Sanchez and the debate over whether McCleary’s header had crossed the line during the contest (1:45). Treaty United manager Laurie Ryan joins the podcast to reflect on the performance and what her side can take from the opening night (12:43), before Shelbourne manager Sean Russell discusses the positives from his side’s winning start to the campaign (17:08).

Attention then turns to Marley Park where Galway United left Dublin with a late 1–0 win over DLR Waves (20:35). Despite the defeat, much of the conversation focuses on the performance of DLR goalkeeper Summer Lawless, who produced a series of sensational saves during the match. The panel also debate whether the young stopper was fortunate to avoid a red card after a late challenge on Ceola Bergin. Lawless herself joins the show to discuss her performance and the team’s start to the season (30:17), followed by reaction from DLR Waves manager Laura Heffernan (31:54) and Galway United manager Phil Trill (34:15). Galway’s winning goal eventually arrived late in the game through Isabella Beletic.

In the south east derby between Waterford and Wexford (37:54), the sides played out an entertaining scoreless draw where penalties, goal line clearances and impressive saves dominated proceedings in a lively encounter.

The weekend’s highest scoring match came in Greenogue as Peamount United and Bohemians shared four goals (52:16). Twice Sarah McKevitt had Bohemians in front, but Peamount responded through Sorcha Melia and Mary Phillips to secure a point. Bohemians defender Lisa Murphy reflects on the match (55:07), before Peamount manager Gary Seery gives his thoughts on an open and entertaining contest (56:43).

In the northwest, Sligo Rovers produced a strong performance against champions Athlone Town (1:01:40). Dana Scheriff had given the visitors the lead, but a late Emma Hansberry free kick secured a deserved point for the Bit O’ Red, who will feel they could have taken more after creating several chances during the game.

The weekend concluded on Leeside where Shamrock Rovers began the James O’Callaghan era with a 2–0 win over Cork City (1:08:36). Inspired performances from Sadhbh Doyle and Ellen Molloy helped Rovers secure the victory, with Doyle opening the scoring before Emily Corbet added the second to seal the three points.

The panel wrap up the episode with a full round-up of the weekend’s results across the division (1:12:03).

Episode 6 — the weekly preview show — will be available on Thursday as the podcast continues its coverage of the 2026 season.

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