The women’s League Of Ireland makes it’s return tomorrow and here at LOITalk we will provide you with all you need to know for all of the games taking place.
With the Presidents cup taking place last week it was Shelbourne who took the bragging rights as they defeated last year’s league champions Athlone 2-1 to lay down a early marker for the season ahead. Goals from Aoibheann Clancy and a Kayleigh Shine OG was enough for Shelbourne to come away with the win. Athlone’s goal was scored by Roisin Molloy with 15 minutes left to play to set up a nervy final quarter but Shelbourne held their nerve to secure early silverware for the 2025 season.
Athlone Town WFC V Wexford FC Women
Starting off with the defending champions Athlone they have a new manager in the dugout tomorrow with Ciaran Kilduff now in charge at mens First Division side Dundalk FC. Athlone Town is now managed by Colin Fortune and his assistant manager being Gordon Brett. For any team no matter what league they play the challenge of when you win the league title is always can you go and back it up and that is the task that lies ahead of this Athlone Town side as they also have UEFA Womens Champions League Qualifiers to get ready for in the summer.
Team wise then, Athlone Town will be without goalkeeper Katie Keane and captain Laurie Ryan for their opening game of the season 2 massive blows for Fortune, both playing massive roles in Athlone Town’s march to the league title. Incomings then and 1 that has certainly gotten supporters across the league talking is the signing of underage international Kelly Brady for the upcoming season. Also in the Athlone Town ranks is arguably 1 of the best players in the division at the moment in Madison Gibson so if Brady and Gibson can link up early on, Athlone Town will be up their fighting to retain their crown.
In a massive blow for Wexford FC this week was the retirement of Nicola Sinnott. Sinnott made 277 apperances for Wexford and leaves the sport with 4 League Of Ireland titles and 4 FAI Cup medals.
Wexford FC described her on X as:”A perfect role model and inspiration for young players we cannot thank Nicola enough for everything she has given to the club.”
“A perfect role model and inspiration for young players we cannot thank Nicola enough for everything she has given to the club.”
There is also a new manager in the dugout for Wexford tomorrow with Séan Byrne taking charge. And his big signing for the season is Ellen Molloy who returns from a stint over in England with Sheffield United where some knee injuries meant she couldn’t get a consistent run of form she would have hoped for but will still on her day will be a massive gamechanger for Wexford for the season ahead. Aoibheann Clancy switched Ferrycarrig Park for Tolka Park and will be a massive loss for this coming season. There is still plenty of experience in that Wexford dressing room with the likes of Lauren Dwyer making her return following been away from the squad last season, captain Kylie Murphy committing to another season aswell as Rianna Jarrett and Ciara Rossister for her 14th season with her local club.
I expect Athlone Town to get their title defence off to the best possible start for this one but Wexford won’t be any pushover.
LOITalk Prediction: Athlone Town 1-0 Wexford FC
Treaty United WFC V Waterford WFC
The first 3 PM game takes place at the Markets Field where Treaty United will host Waterford for their first competitive game in the Women’s League Of Ireland.
With Dominic Foley leaving his role as Treaty United manager they have recruited local with former Limerick FC midfielder Sean Russell son of a former League Of Ireland manager in Martin Russell taking the lead for the upcoming season. Sean has been coaching in Treaty’s underage teams but this will be his first job as a senior manager and will be looking to build on the success Foley had as he guided Treaty to their highest league finish last season finishing 7th place.
There has been a number of departures from Treaty United in the past few days with the club announcing Leah Martin, Avril Tangri, Jenna Murphy, Erin Van Dolder, Delana Friesen, Danielle Steer and Eliza Campbell had all left the club aswell as Esra Kangal. Treaty looks to be going with a youthful squad and will rely on players that have experienced the league already with the likes of Katie Lawlee, Cara Griffin and Hannah Saidi. Adding to that the incomings and Madison McGuane is 1 people around Treaty United are really excited about. Aswell as Aibhlinn Cotter, Ciara Breslin, Clodagh Daly and Anna Dignam have recruited well in the offseason as well as some international talent in the form of goalkeeper Kate Devine and forward Madelyn Robbins.
Waterford FC are the newcomers to the League Of Ireland and it’s really hard to judge where they are at with the lack of knowledge from previous seasons. Gary Hunt is the head coach for the side and their captain is an academy graduate Danielle Griffin.
One would expect Treaty United to come away with all 3 points for the opening day of the season but the surprises Waterford could bring to the table might be able to pull off a shock
LOITalk Prediction: Treaty 1-1 Waterford
Sligo Rovers WFC V Bohemians WFC
Bohemians will be determined to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish, with new manager Alban Hysa setting his sights on breaking into the top six. The Gypsies have retained key players, including their influential captain Rachael Kelly, one of the league’s standout goalkeepers.
In attack, Savannah Kane, Sarah McKevitt, and Katie Malone will look to build on their chemistry and provide a more consistent goal threat. The midfield has been bolstered by the arrival of Hannah Healy and the return of Mia Dodd—both from Shelbourne—adding much-needed creativity and goal-scoring potential.
Left-back Emma Gaughran is one to watch, as the promising young defender has been making strides with the Republic of Ireland’s underage teams and will be eager to cement her place in the starting XI.
Last season was a tough one for Sligo Rovers, with just one league win from 20 games. However, the return of manager Steve Feeney has injected renewed belief into the squad. Restoring confidence will be key, and having captain Emma Hansberry leading the way will help steady the ship.
Sligo have managed to keep a core group of players, including Katie Melly, Alice Lillie, Jessica Casey, Sarah Kiernan, and Leah Kelly. Young talent Amber Hardy, who made her Ireland Women’s Under-19 debut last year, is also expected to play a big role.
The Bit O’Red will also be looking to Keeva Flynn and Anna McDaniel to continue their development and provide some attacking spark. Feeney has shown faith in youth, and players like Keela Scanlon, Cara King, and Lauren Devaney could be given opportunities to shine.
LOITalk Prediction: Sligo Rovers 2-1 Bohemians
Shelbourne WFC V Shamrock Rovers WFC
After narrowly missing out on the title last season, Shelbourne boss Eoin Wearen will be urging his squad to maintain their high standards while finding a way to convert draws into wins. The Reds lost just one league game in 2024, proving their consistency, but six draws ultimately cost them.
While several key players have departed—Maggie Pierce, Mia Dodd, Nadine Clare, Hannah Healy, Megan Smyth-Lynch, and Katie McCarn—the club’s renowned youth development system ensures a steady flow of talent. Expect to see more of Nia Hannon, Lucy O’Rourke, Aoife Sheridan, and Rebecca Devereux as Wearen continues to promote from within.
The standout addition to the squad is Aoibheann Clancy, a Limerick native who joins from Wexford. A gifted midfielder with excellent close control and precise passing, Clancy could provide the x-factor needed to push Shelbourne over the line this season.
With a solid squad and a clear ambition, Shelbourne will be determined to start the season with a statement victory.
Shamrock Rovers enter the new campaign with one primary focus: increasing their goal tally. Despite finishing as the league’s fourth-highest scorers last season, a lack of clinical finishing saw them settle for a fifth-place finish.
Manager Collie O’Neill will look to attacking talents such as Joy Ralph, Emily Corbet, Katie O’Reilly, Melissa O’Kane, Scarlett Herron, Jaime Thompson, and the experienced Áine O’Gorman to sharpen their finishing and turn chances into goals.
Losing Lia O’Leary to Bristol City is a blow, but Rovers have brought in fresh young talent to fill the void. One player to watch is Ella Kelly, the Ireland Women’s Under-17s captain, who impressed last season with her composure on the ball and attacking instincts. This could be a breakout year for her.
Adding further experience to the setup, former striker Stephanie Zambra has joined O’Neill’s backroom team. Her expertise in front of goal may provide valuable insights for Rovers’ attacking unit.
LOITalk Prediction: Shelbourne 3-1 Shamrock Rovers
Peamount United V Cork City
Peamount United fans will notice a different look on the sideline this season, as James O’Callaghan makes way for Emma Donohoe. Donohoe, who has been with the club for years, will be looking to blend the old guard with fresh additions to make an impact in the league. Captain Karen Duggan remains a key figure, anchoring the midfield with her experience and leadership. In goal, Amanda Budden takes over from the retired Niamh Reid-Burke, while Croatian international Antea Guvo will add much-needed firepower up front.
A key area to watch will be the impact of new signings Abby Tuthill, who had a successful season with Wexford last year, and the promising young Sorcha Melia, who arrives with high expectations. With a core of rising stars in Jess Fitzgerald, Ellen Dolan, and Freya Healy—who were recently called up to the Ireland Women’s National Team—Peamount United are building a squad that mixes youth and experience. As Donohoe settles into her role as head coach, expect a new dynamic for the Peas, eager to prove themselves in the league.
Cork City, coming off a tough 2024 season with only five league wins, will be looking to bounce back under the experienced leadership of Frank Kelleher. The return of Kelleher, who led Cork to FAI Cup glory in 2017, brings a renewed sense of optimism to the squad. However, Kelleher knows that improvements are necessary, and this season will be a rebuilding one for the Leesiders.
The good news for Kelleher is the presence of a promising crop of young talent eager to prove their worth. Players like Heidi Mackin, Niamh Cotter, and Kiera Sena have developed into key contributors and earned Ireland underage caps. These players will be central to Cork’s hopes of making progress in the league.
Kelleher will rely heavily on the youth movement, with assistant coach Craig Robinson, promoted from Cork’s EA SPORTS WU17s, set to bring a fresh perspective to the team. Together with Paul Hunt and Trish Fennelly Hunt, Kelleher will look to develop the squad’s potential and build a competitive side.
This match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with Peamount United’s established squad looking to maintain their competitive edge under Donohoe, while Cork City, with a host of youthful energy, will be hungry to show that they can bounce back under Kelleher’s guidance. The clash between the seasoned Peas and the up-and-coming Cork City side will be one to watch closely as both teams look to make their mark in the early stages of the season.
Peamount United will have the upper hand in terms of squad depth and experience, but Cork City’s exciting young players and the leadership of Kelleher could provide the perfect recipe for an upset. With both teams eager to kick off their seasons with a statement win, this match is sure to be an exciting affair.
LOITalk Prediction: Peamount United 3-0 Cork City
Galway United Women V DLR Waves
Galway United made significant strides in 2024, retaining the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup and making a push for the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title. The Tribeswomen, once considered a sleeping giant in the league, are now firmly on their feet and aiming higher under Phil Trill’s leadership. However, they face challenges this season, particularly with the loss of key players. Julie-Ann Russell’s retirement and the departure of Jenna Slattery to Hearts have left huge gaps in attack—two of their top goalscorers from last season, who contributed 19 league goals, are no longer available.
Despite these losses, Galway’s squad remains strong. The excitement surrounding Emma Doherty, the new lead striker, is palpable, although she will need consistent service to deliver the goals. Veterans like Lynsey McKey and new signing Amanda Smith, a Canadian international, will be critical in providing that service, with Smith’s experience adding a valuable dimension to their offensive play.
The addition of Niamh Farrelly, a four-time capped WNT international with experience across Scotland, England, and Italy, will further strengthen the Galway midfield. The emergence of talented young players, including Ireland Women’s Under-17 internationals Heather Loomes and Ava Mullins, offers an exciting future for the team. Galway will be hoping their blend of experience and youth can help them build on their strong 2024 season.
DLR Waves, under the guidance of Laura Heffernan, are hoping that 2024’s struggles are behind them as they look to re-energize their squad and become the dark horses of the league. After a tough season plagued by injuries to key players, surprise departures, and missed opportunities, the team showed signs of recovery towards the end of the year. Heffernan will be keen to build on that momentum and propel DLR Waves higher up the table.
The emergence of Keelin Dodd as a versatile, two-way midfielder and the return of Neema Nygassi from injury give Heffernan reason for optimism. Additionally, Aisling Meehan’s breakthrough into the first team adds a fresh spark to the squad. With the leadership of experienced players like Eve Badana, Jess Gleeson, Bronagh Kane, and Rachel Doyle, DLR Waves now have a strong core of players who understand the demands of the league and can grind out results.
Heffernan has also freshened up the squad by bringing back two familiar faces: midfielder Nadine Clare and striker Michelle Doonan. Both players will add quality to the team, with Clare’s passing range and Doonan’s clinical finishing being crucial elements in DLR’s attack.
As always, DLR Waves have kept one eye on the future, and expect young talent like Ciara Richardson to seize any opportunities to impress this season. Heffernan’s focus is firmly on winning now, but she will also be keen to develop the next generation of stars for the club.
Both teams are coming into this season with something to prove. Galway United, with their eyes on higher league honours, will be keen to maintain the momentum from 2024, despite the challenges in attack. DLR Waves, on the other hand, are aiming for a strong comeback after a difficult year, with a re-energized squad and some fresh faces looking to make a difference.
This game promises to be an exciting and unpredictable affair as both sides look to get their season off to the best possible start.
LOITalk Prediction: Galway United 1-0 DLR Waves