A full round-up of the opening fixtures in the 2026 All-Island Cup, as Galway United, Athlone Town and Shelbourne impress, while DLR Waves secure their first win of the season.
Group A
Cara Jordan’s Brace secures victory for Sligo against Wexford
Sligo Rovers shake off five goal hammering to Shamrock Rovers and bounce back with an opening day victory in the All-Island Cup against Wexford. In a solid display by the Bit O’Red, a brace by former UConn player Cara Jordan was enough to give Sligo their first win of 2026.
For Wexford, despite a solid end to the 2025 season, they have started off 2026 on the back foot. The side from Ferrycarrig Park have yet to win a game so far in 2026, with Wexford now on a two-game losing streak after their loss to Galway United last week.
Group B
Struggling DLR Waves get first victory of the season against Lisburn Rangers
After a tumultuous start to 2026, DLR Waves register their first win of the season against Northern Irish Women’s Premiership side Lisburn Rangers. A goal from Keelin Dodd just after the half hour mark was enough to give the Dublin side the win.
This was DLR Waves’s first win over Lisburn, as they lost this fixture 2-1 to the side from County Antrim back in 2024 in this very competition. Lisburn will look to improve for the beginning of their domestic season, while DLR Waves fans can finally have something to cheer about with their victory at the UCD Bowl.
Galway keep winning streak going as they score 4 past Peamount
Galway United have won 4 of their opening 4 games in all competitions in 2026 as the Tribeswomen put 4 past a helpless Peamount. The current league leaders of the Premier Division flexed their muscles in Eamon Deacy Park today, with Aoibhin Donnelly, Aoibheann Costello and two from Ceola Bergin helped Galway to finish today top of Group B.
Peamount stumbled to their first defeat of 2026, with their league form not translating into the All-Island Cup. This marks the first game since their FAI Cup quarter final loss to Athlone Town last season where Peamount have failed to find the back of the net.
Group C
Athlone Town back to their best with victory against Cork City
Athlone Town secure two wins in two weeks as they triumph over Cork City at home. Goals from Melissa O’Kane and Madison Gibson give the side who did the league and cup double last season the victory, as Athlone Town set their sights on a trophy they have yet to win.
This victory over the Munster outfit extends their winning streak against Cork City to 11 straight wins in a row. For Cork, who sit bottom of the Premier League and of Group C, they have failed to register a goal in any competition this season, with their last goal coming in a loss against Shamrock Rovers last season.
Treaty United edge out close encounter against Cliftonville
Treaty United transfer their excellent early season form into the All-Island Cup as the Shannonsiders win 3-2 against Cliftonville. A brace from Madison McGuane and a third goal from Ciara Breslin gives Treaty their third win in four matches.
The fixture was moved to Ballingarry AFC due to a waterlogged pitch at Markets Field, but that certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the home side as they manage to defeat the side that finished second in the Northern Irish Women’s Premiership last season.
Goals from Carla Devine and Lucy Kelly were not enough as Treaty survived a late Cliftonville scare to win the game.
Group D
Bohs struggle for second week in a row as they fall to strong Glentoran
After being thumped 5-2 by Athlone Town, fortunes for Bohs didn’t improve this week as they lose their opening game in the All-Island cup 3-1 to Northern Irish Women’s Premiership Champions Glentoran, who go top of group D.
The side from east Belfast cruised to a 3-0 lead via goals from Aimee Kerr, Demi Vance and Rachel Rogan before a concilation strike by Alannah McEvoy attempted to save face for Bohs at Dalymount Park.
Bohs won the only other fixture against Glentoran 3-1 in the Blanchflower Stadium last year, a harrowing sign of how 2026 has started for Bohemians.
Shels continue good start to the season with win against Waterford
A rampant Shels win 4-2 over Waterford at the RSC, as the side from Tolka have won three of their opening four matches this season. Goals from Leah Doyle, Rachel Graham and two from Maeve Wollmer give Shelbourne a perfect start to their All-Island Cup campaign.
For Waterford it is a third defeat on the spin for the Munster side, but they have scored their first goals this season after going the first three games this season goalless. Strikes from Issy Walsh and Aisling Mahony will no doubt give Waterford some much needed confidence going into their next block of Premier Division fixtures.