Athlone Town claim the 2026 Women’s Presidents Cup with a 1-0 win over Shelbourne. Read the full match report as Dana Scheriff’s second-half strike sinks the visitors at Athlone Town Stadium.
Athlone Town 1
Shelbourne 0
With both teams eager to start the new season with a piece of silverware, it was Athlone who got the better of the two sides on this occasion as the league and cup champions win the 2026 Presidents Cup.
Both teams looked nervous early on, with the two sides giving away possession very easily. Shels however, looked to press Athlone Town from the off, forcing them into early mistakes.
After a slow start, Athlone started to gain confidence and the side that did the double last season started to play like their old selves. They started to force the visitors into making mistakes, and it wasn’t long before we had our first chance of the game fall to Athlone, with a headed effort sailing comfortably over the bar.
The game started to settle down as the home side started to dominate proceedings and winning that midfield battle, but not quite being able to pull off the final pass.
Athlone would register their second shot of the game, with Madie Gibsons effort sailing just wide. She would have another curling effort go just to the right and wide as Athlone started to turn up the heat on their opponents.
Shels were only limited to small counter-attacking opportunities, however they could not break down the stern Athlone Town defense, with both Natalie McNally and Kayleigh Shine.
A goalmouth scrabble should have ended up in an Athlone goal as debutant goalkeeper for Shels Mya Sanchez made a near costly error as Shels somehow scrabbled the ball behind for a corner.
Despite Athlone’s clear dominance throughout the first half and many chances to bag the opener, the game was scoreless as both teams headed into the dressing rooms for half-time.
The second half began in a very similar fashion to the first, with Athlone forcing Shels hand and pressuring them into unforced errors.
The half-time substitution of Dana Scheriff added some zip to the home side, even coming close with an effort of hers going just over. Her dribbling and agility was causing Shels some defensive nightmares.
Shels had a glorious chance to take the lead. Against the run of play, Shels broke down the right-hand side and cut a ball across the box, with Rebecca Watkins putting the ball agonizingly over the bar.
After that close scare, Athlone regained control of the match. They had a great chance to score through sub Isabel Ryan, but her shot was saved by Shels keeper Sanchez.
After an hour gone both sides had chances to take the lead, but the game was still scoreless after 60 minutes.
Athlone had yet another half-chance, this time by replacement Chloe Singleton, with her shot gone marginally wide of the goal.
Finally after all their hard work, Athlone got the breakthrough goal. A cross from full-back Kellie Brennan was met by the foot of Dana Scheriff, with the substitute grabbing the opener in the Cup final.
Athlone really started to flex their muscles after the goal, with Isabel Ryan’s shot blocked on the line by Shelbourne’s Leah Doyle.
Shelbourne’s next chance would come curtesy of Aoibheann Clancy, but the shot was comfortably saved by Athlone goalie Courtney Maguire.
In the late stages of the game it was all Athlone, with Isabel Ryan looking dangerous out wide, and Shels were struggling to cope with the Athlone onslaught.
Athlone thought they had the game wrapped up with a golden chance by Alexis Strickland, however the attempt was blocked on the line by shels captain Pearl Slattery.
Shels thought they had an equalizer with Courtney Maguire making a mistake which nearly gave the visitors a goal.
Shels started to put the pressure on Athlone in injury time in search of a goal, however it would be the midland club that would win on the day, as the league champions from last season were just too strong for Shels in the end.
Both teams must now turn their attention to the upcoming league season which is just around the corner.
Athlone Town (4-2-3-1): Courtney Maguire (gk), Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shaunna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch (c), Roisin Molloy, Emma Mooney, Madie Gibbson, Hazel Donegan, Mellisa O’Kane Subs: Dana Scheriff (45’ for Hazel Donegan Mellisa O’Kane), Chloe Singleton (45’ for Mellisa O’Kane), Isabel Ryan (60’ for Roisin Molloy), Alexis Strickland (60’ for Madison Gibson),
Shelbourne (4-2-3-1) Mya Sanches (gk), Leah Doyle, Pearl Slattery (c), Alex Kavanagh, Becky Watkins, Jess Gargan, Aoibheann Clancy, Aoife Kelly, Brie Severns, Maggie Pierce, Olivia Damico Subs: Lucy O’Rourke (75’ for Leah Doyle), Madeleine McKinley (79’ for Olivia Damico), Halle Harcourt (84’ for Brianne Severns)
Referee: Daryl Carolan
Attendance: 715