It’s the final show of the season, and Breifne Earley and Meabh De Burca are looking back at a memorable FAI Women’s Cup Final where Athlone Town completed the double in style.

Despite a spirited display from Bohemians, a Kelly Brady hat-trick led the Midlanders to glory in Tallaght.

The Gypsies opened the scoring with a rocket from Alannah McEvoy, and a late long-range strike from Aoibhe Brennan capped off their scoring – but it wasn't enough to deny Athlone their first-ever League & Cup double.

🏆 Cup Final Highlights:

🎩 Kelly Brady hat-trick heroics

🚀 McEvoy and Brennan with stunning goals

💪 Bohs push Athlone all the way

🏟️ A brilliant showcase to close the domestic season

🇮🇪 International Preview:

Breifne and Meabh also look ahead to the Republic of Ireland's crucial double-header playoff with Belgium in the UEFA Women's Nations League, as Jess Ziu, Jamie Finn, and domestic talents gear up for one final battle in 2024.

🎧 Listen now to wrap up the season with us

It’s the last league episode of the season and Breifne Earley is joined once again by Meabh De Burca (@MeabhDeBurca) to wrap up a wild final weekend in the Women’s Premier Division, reflect on the retirements of four legends, and look ahead to this weekend’s FAI Women’s Cup Final.

🏆 Final Day Highlights

🔥 Shamrock Rovers 5–4 Shelbourne

Nine goals, comebacks, and chaos in Tallaght.

Aine O’Gorman marked her final league appearance with an early goal, but Shels fought back from 4-2 down to level before a late Anna Butler strike gave the Hoops the win in a thrilling contest.

🥳 Athlone Town 4–0 Sligo Rovers

A party in the Midlands as the Champions signed off in style.

Maddie Gibson struck early and late, while Kelly Brady and Hannah Waesch added to the tally. Athlone could’ve had more after hitting the woodwork three times.

⚽️ Peamount United 3–3 Bohemians

A red card, cracking finishes, and late drama in Dalymount.

Ellen Dolan, Becky Watkins, and Eleanor Ryan Doyle scored for the Peas, but a red card for keeper Amanda Budden turned the tide. Alannah McEvoy, Hannah Healy, and a thunderbolt from Hannah O’Brien earned Bohs a deserved draw.

🎯 DLR Waves 1–3 Galway United

Galway end strong with a trio of stunning strikes.

Lynsey McKey, Amanda Smith, and Ceola Bergin with a long-range beauties. DLR’s Neema Nyangasi replied with a smart finish.

🎩 Wexford FC 3–0 Cork City

Kylie Murphy bows out in style.

A hat trick from the Wexford icon sealed the win in her farewell appearance, bringing down the curtain on a glittering 14-year career.

🎉 Waterford FC 3–2 Treaty United

Wild finish in the RSC.

Trailing 2–0 after goals from Bella Flocchini and Madison McGuane, Waterford launched a furious comeback via Meadhbh Doherty, Fiana Bradley, and Ruby Linnane. A gutsy final push in front of their home crowd.

👟 In the Spotlight

🇮🇪 International Squad Named

Jess Ziu and Jamie Finn return to the Irish squad for the Belgium playoffs, while Maria Reynolds and Kelly Brady (LOIW) join the training panel.

🏆 Cup Final Preview

Athlone Town v Bohemians – A first-time FAI Women’s Cup winner awaits. Who’ll lift the silverware in Tallaght this Sunday?

🙌 Goodbye, Legends

We pay tribute to retiring icons Aine O’Gorman, Karen Duggan, Kylie Murphy, and Rianna Jarrett – four trailblazers whose impact will echo long after full-time.

Former Irish international Meabh De Burca (@MeabhDeBurca) joins Breifne to dissect a weekend of late goals, spoiled parties, and standout performances across the Women’s Premier Division.

⚽ Match Highlights

🔴 Peamount United 1–0 Athlone Town

Champions Athlone’s unbeaten run is no more.

Eleanor Ryan Doyle broke hearts with a late goal to seal all three points in Greenogue and deny the title holders a perfect finish to the season.

🔵 Galway United 3–0 Waterford FC

A dominant Tribeswomen display.

Emma Doherty bagged a brace, and Amanda Smyth added a thunderbolt as Maeve O’Sullivan stood tall in the Waterford goal to keep the score respectable. Galway could easily have had more.

🟣 Sligo Rovers 2–3 DLR Waves

End-to-end action in the Showgrounds!

Both teams led, but it was Michelle Doonan’s late strike that gave the Waves a dramatic win. Sligo will look back at a missed penalty with regret.

⚫ Treaty United 1–1 Bohemians

A scrappy, intense affair at the Market’s Field.

Ciara Breslin looked to have handed Treaty a rare win, but a well-placed header from Róisín McGovern salvaged a deserved draw for a dominant Bohs.

🟢 Cork City 1–2 Shamrock Rovers

Drama in Cobh.

Aine O'Gorman and Jamie Thompson gave Rovers control, but a Christina Dring hustle goal brought Cork back into it. Maria Reynolds' backpass and red card late on summed up a chaotic end for the hosts.

🔴 Shelbourne 2–1 Wexford FC

Aoibheann Clancy the late show star.

After Mackenzie Anthony and Ellen Molloy traded goals, Clancy pounced late to keep the Reds in fine form heading toward the final stretch.

📰 Also on the Show

Republic of Ireland squad: Big decisions await with the announcement due next week.

In Her Boots: The next phase of the FAI x Aviva initiative aims to address the female player drop-off at youth level — what needs to happen next?

This week, Breifne and Aaron break down a decisive weekend in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division as the title race turns sharply in Athlone’s favour, Treaty United fall apart, and the FAI Cup finalists sharpen their blades.

⚽ Match Highlights & Talking Points

🔵 Athlone Town 2–1 Shelbourne

A huge result in the title race!

Kelly Brady’s composed finish on the hour mark puts the Midlanders within touching distance of back-to-back titles. Shelbourne’s challenge falls short despite an early breakthrough from Kate Mooney.

🔴 Treaty United 0–6 Peamount United

The wheels have truly come off in Limerick.

A ruthless Peamount punished a flat Treaty side in front of visiting Canadian investors. The result spelled the end for manager Sean Russell, who departs the club after a once-promising season.

Peamount scorers: Sadhbh Doyle (2), Sorcha Melia (2), Ellen Dolan, Ruby Gallagher.

🟢 Waterford FC 1–8 Shamrock Rovers

A scoring spree for the Hoops!

Mia Dodd, Aine O’Gorman, and Emily Corbet each netted twice, with Katie O’Reilly and Jaime Thompson also on target. Even a missed penalty from Ella Kelly didn’t slow the momentum.

Izzy Walsh had opened the scoring for Waterford early on in a brief moment of hope.

⚫ Bohemians 3–2 Sligo Rovers

Entertaining chaos at Dalymount!

Katie Malone’s brace and a late Alannah McEvoy penalty sealed it for the home side.

Bohs look sharp ahead of their FAI Cup Final, while Sligo pushed them all the way.

🟣 Wexford FC 1–0 Galway United

Captain Kylie Murphy to the rescue.

A stoppage-time winner in Ferrycarrig gave Wexford the points and ruled both sides out of the second-place chase.

📰 Also on the Show

Sean Russell’s departure: What does it mean for Treaty United, and where do they go from here?

Canadian investment: What’s next for Treaty’s ownership future?

Midweek title decider: Athlone can be crowned champions Wednesday night in Cork – what to expect.

FAI Cup Final preview: Early thoughts ahead of Bohs vs Athlone.

This week, @breifneearley and @aaron_c91 dig into a weekend of drama in the LOI Women’s Premier Division — with underdogs fighting hard, rising stars emerging, and a shake-up coming at underage and second-tier level.

⚽ Weekend Results Round-Up

Waterford FC 1–2 Wexford FC

A stunning Ellen Molloy strike helps Wexford edge the South East Derby in a tense affair.

Shelbourne 2–0 Treaty United

Shels controlled the game but were made to work for their goals against a stubborn Treaty side.

Galway United 5–0 Cork City

Ceola Bergin was at the double as Galway tore through Cork in a dominant display Aoibheann Costello hitting 8 assists in her last three games.

Peamount United 4–1 Sligo Rovers

Sligo took the lead, but Peamount roared back with four unanswered — ruthless finishing proving the difference.

Shamrock Rovers 2–2 Bohemians

The Hoops led 2–0 but couldn’t hold off an impressive Bohemians comeback, who continue their upward momentum.

Athlone Town 3–1 DLR Waves

It took something special to beat Eve Badana’s inspired goalkeeping, but Athlone finally got over the line.

🧤 Also on the Show

A new U19/U23/Second Tier structure for the LOI Women’s League is in development — what will it look like, and what does it mean for clubs and pathways?

We shine a light on goal-line drama, offside controversies, youth breakthroughs and some goalkeeping masterclasses from this weekend.

🎧 Listen now at:

👉 finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loi-women-podcast-s5e30

This week, @breifneearley and @aaron_c91 break down the FAI Women’s Cup Semi-Finals, where Leaigh Brennan and Katie Lovely fired Bohs into their first ever FAI Cup final with a composed performance in Dalymount and a Kelly Brady penalty and Madison Gibson finish booked Athlone a fourth consecutive cup final after a dominant showing in Tallaght.

• Peamount United 1–2 Galway United
• Ceola Bergin’s brace sees Galway take 4 wins in 5, while Eleanor Ryan Doyle’s stunning effort wasn’t enough for the Peas.
• DLR Waves 0–4 Shelbourne
• Shels kept the title race burning with a ruthless display — goals from Aoibheann Clancy, Alex Kavanagh, Mackenzie Anthony, and Gaby Del Pico.

• The FAI re-advertises the Head of Women’s Football role
• A staff member is suspended following inappropriate contact with players’ families
• Continued uncertainty around voluntary redundancies and staff morale within Abbottstown

🎧 Stream now on FinalWhistle.ie or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke react to the shock departure of Colin Fortune as Athlone Town manager — just days before their UEFA Women’s Europa Cup tie with Glasgow City and while they sit top of the LOI Women’s Premier Division.

🟡 What’s behind the decision?

🟡 What next for Fortune and the Town?

🔵 League Recap: Athlone Seize Control

Waterford 0–2 Athlone Town (Wednesday)

Early momentum in a huge week for the Midlanders.

Athlone Town 2–0 Shamrock Rovers

A repeat scoreline sees Athlone surge four points clear at the summit.

Galway United 2–1 Shelbourne

Shel’s title challenge dented as Galway continue their strong form.

Wexford FC 0–0 DLR Waves

Stalemate in the Bowl as both sides miss big chances.

Peamount United 5–0 Waterford

Ruthless from the Peas as they pile misery on Waterford.

Sligo Rovers 2–2 Treaty United

Two late Sligo goals steal a point in a game Treaty looked to have won.

Bohemians 2–0 Cork City

First win in four for Bohs as they keep Cork winless.

🎧 Full analysis, insight, and some tough questions — live now on FinalWhistle.ie

or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week on the pod, Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke dive into a packed week for women’s football at home and abroad:

Athlone Town secure their place in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, drawing Scottish giants Glasgow City in the next round. Can the Town make history?

Wexford FC capture their first silverware since the merger, holding their nerve in a penalty shootout win over Bohemians after a crazy game in Ferrycarrig Park. Classic game of two halves, wild weather, and drama to the last kick.

• Treaty United 2–1 Galway United
• Bella Flocchini stuns with a rocket before Madison McGuane slotted home the decisive penalty in a huge derby win.
• Shelbourne 8–0 Sligo Rovers
• Welcome to the league Holly Murphy Harcourt! A debut goal-of-the-month contender seals an emphatic Reds win.
• Cork City 1–1 DLR Waves
• Cork will rue missed chances in a game they could have won multiple times.
• Peamount United 1–0 Shamrock Rovers
• Ellen Dolan delivers derby delight with a sensational long-range strike to take the bragging rights in West Dublin.

We also dissect the ongoing fallout between the FAI and former WNT manager Eileen Gleeson, as headlines continue to swirl.

 Listen now on FinalWhistle.ie or your favourite podcast app!

This week on the League of Ireland Women’s Podcast, Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke unpack a busy few days in Irish women's football — from European playoffs to the FAI Cup Semi-Final clash with Leinster Rugby, and a full round of League action with major title implications.

🗣️ Talking Points:

🇪🇺 Athlone’s European Dream: Not Over Yet

Despite falling 3-1 to Breidablik in Iceland, Athlone Town aren’t done with Europe just yet. They now face a playoff for a place in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa League – can they bounce back?

📉 FAI Layoffs & Player Pathway Concerns

News of staff layoffs at the FAI has raised alarm bells – and with whispers of a restructure to U23/U18 in the women’s underage leagues, questions linger as the recent academy report suggested U15 as the best entry point. Are we moving in the wrong direction?

🏟️ Cup Semi-Final vs Rugby: Scheduling Tensions

A scheduling controversy brews as the FAI Women’s Cup Semi-Final (7:35pm) is set to go ahead in Tallaght on the same day as Leinster Rugby’s fixture at 3pm in the same venue. Could this impact crowd, coverage or atmosphere?

⚽ Weekend Results:

A cracking round of League fixtures saw title races tighten and stories emerge across the country:

🔴 Athlone Town 2–1 Shelbourne

A huge blow in Shels' title charge as the champions took all three points and breathe fresh life into the race.

🟣 Cork City 0–2 Peamount United

A composed Peas performance to keep their chase alive.

💚 Sligo Rovers 1–4 Shamrock Rovers

Ruthless finishing helps Rovers steady the ship in style.

🔵 Galway United 2–1 Bohemians

Amanda Smith’s stoppage-time screamer completes a thrilling turnaround in Eamonn Deacy Park.

🟡 DLR Waves 4–2 Waterford

A six-goal thriller sees DLR grab a rare but vital win.

⚫ Wexford 0–1 Treaty United

Katie Lawlee’s moment of magic earns Treaty a massive away result.

On this week’s episode, @breifneearley and @aaron_c91 return to unpack a thrilling round of FAI Women’s Cup Quarter Final action, an eye-catching league comeback from Peamount United, and the implications of the semi-final draw as the business end of the season heats up.

📰 This week’s highlights:

🟣 Peamount Bounce Back at Bohs

Just days after being dumped out of the cup by Athlone, Peamount United rallied midweek in Dalymount, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Bohemians in the league. The win keeps the title race alive and shows the resilience of the Pea's side.

⚫ Cup Quarter Final Round-Up

Bohemians 7–1 Newbridge Town

A ruthless performance from the Gypsies saw them fire seven past non-league Newbridge Town to book their spot in the last four in style.

Athlone Town 1–0 Peamount United

A hard-fought clash in Greenogue saw the defending champions edge past Peamount, exacting revenge for their recent league defeat.

Shamrock Rovers 2–1 Shelbourne

In a bruising North Dublin derby, Stephanie Zambra’s side edged out the league leaders, knocking Shels out of the cup in a huge statement victory.

DLR Waves 0–2 Treaty United

A brilliant second-half display saw Bella Flocchini and Madelyn Robbins strike to secure Treaty’s FAI Cup semi-final berth. Another milestone in what’s becoming a historic season for the Limerick side.

🔮 FAI Cup Semi Final Draw

Breifne and Aaron react to the semi-final draw, breaking down the matchups and who’s best positioned to reach this year’s decider at Tallaght Stadium.

🔜 Weekend Fixture Preview

The lads also cast an eye over this weekend’s league fixtures, as the title, relegation, and European battles intensify across the division.

🎧 Listen now on FinalWhistle.ie or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loi-women-podcast-s5e25/