A Kelly Brady hat-trick proved to be enough to beat Bohemians in the 2025 FAI Cup Final.
Athlone Town – 3
Bohemians – 2
Early intensity paid off for Bohemians as midfielder Hannah Healy won the ball high up the pitch before laying it off to Alannah McEvoy. McEvoy briefly carried the ball before bending it perfectly into the top right corner from outside the box, a stunning strike to give her side the lead.
Minutes later, Athlone Town had a moment of their own to win the ball high up the pitch, but a heavy touch from captain Madison Gibson allowed goalkeeper Rachel Kelly to reach it first, and Gibson ended up fouling her in the process.
Athlone did not have to wait long for the next opportunity, this time going direct. A long ball found Shauna Brennan, who made a fantastic run down the touchline and topped it off with even more brilliance, delivering an inch-perfect cross to Kelly Brady, who nodded home the equaliser.
Again, it was down the left flank where Athlone Town found the most joy. A quickly taken free kick on the halfway line was played through to Gibson, and once again it was Kelly Brady on the end of a great cross, heading home her second of the match.
The second half continued as the first had ended, with Athlone Town in control. A long-range effort deflected off a Bohemians defender and fortunately fell to Kelly Brady, who easily put the ball past Rachel Kelly to complete her hat-trick.
Bohemians weren’t going to go down without a fight. Aoibhe Brennan had an effort from a similar range to where her side scored the opener, and she managed to produce the same result, a world-class strike that reduced the deficit to a single goal.
The respectable effort to bring the game back to level terms wasn’t enough for Bohemians, as Athlone Town had done enough to be crowned FAI Cup champions, achieving what they failed to do last season by getting over the line in the final and completing the domestic double.
Player of the Match: It would be unfair to pick anyone other than Kelly Brady. A cup final hat-trick is what many would describe as the perfect end to the season. Ireland manager Carla Ward was among her admirers, praising her from the stands at Tallaght Stadium.
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschiko, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Kelly Brady, Rosin Molloy, Emma Mooney, Maddison Gibson, Kate Slevin Subs: Sarah Rice for Shauna Brennan (72), Chloe Singleton and Isabel Ryan for Emma Mooney and Roisin Molloy (80)
Bohemians: Rachel Kelly, Sarah Power, Lisa Murphy, Rosin McGovern, Katie Lovely, Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Hannah Healy, Sarah McKevitt, Alannah McEvoy, Leiagh Glennon Subs: Katie Malone for Katie Lovely (85), Savannah Kane for Alannah McEvoy (87)