(L-R) Brooke Nunn, head coach Emily Husband and Sarah Rowe as Central Coast Mariners celebrate winning the A-League Women Grand Final match. Alamy Stock Photo
Take a Bow
Joy for Irish duo as Sarah Rowe and Ciara Grant win league titles in Australia and Scotland
Historic A-League Women’s success for Central Coast Mariners, while Hibernian lift Scottish Women’s Premier League.
UNDERDOG CENTRAL Coast Mariners claimed their first A-League Women’s title on Sunday after prevailing 5-4 in a penalty shootout over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
It was a day to remember for Mayo multi-sport star Sarah Rowe.
Ballina native Rowe played 71 minutes, having joined the Mariners in December of last year.
Scores were deadlocked at 1-1 following regulation and extra time, forcing the first penalty shootout in the competition’s grand final history.
Victory’s Alana Jancevski hit the crossbar on the first kick before the Mariners calmly nailed five in a row to trigger scenes of jubilation.
“We were very lucky to win and they were unlucky to lose,” Mariners goalkeeper Sarah Langman said.
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“We were ready (for the penalty shootout) and knew we could do it.”
Showing no nerves in their maiden grand final appearance, Mariners defied the partisan crowd with Matildas squad member Isabel Gomez breaking the deadlock in the 46th minute.
Victory were forced into attack mode in a bid to become the first team since Sydney FC in 2009 to come from behind and win a grand final.
After waves of attack, Victory were finally rewarded when New Zealand international Claudia Bunge headed the ball past Langman in the 80th minute.
For just the second time in the competition’s history, the grand final went into extra time, but neither team could break the deadlock.
Mariners’ triumph was a remarkable comeback for the A-League Women’s smallest club after they were kicked out of the competition in 2010 due to a lack of funding before making a celebrated return two years ago.
During a regular season where they finished fourth, the Mariners showcased tactical discipline under Emily Husband, one of only two women coaches in the 12-team league.
They entered the final on the back of a major semi-final upset to end Melbourne City’s hopes of a trophy treble.
It’s been a fruitful period for the franchise with the Mariners men’s team having claimed back-to-back titles. The men’s A-League grand final will be held on 31 May.
Scottish success for Ciara Grant. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, Ireland international Ciara Grant is celebrating Scottish Women’s Premier League glory with Hibernian.
Hibs won the title in dramatic fashion with a 1-0 final day victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
Linzi Taylor’s 74th minute winner was the difference, while Grant played the full game. The Donegal midfielder/defender finishes her first season at the club as a league champion, having crossed the Edinburgh divide from Hearts last summer.
Hibs are the fourth different winners in four seasons, following Rangers, Glasgow City and Celtic. It is their first title since 2006/07.
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Joy for Irish duo as Sarah Rowe and Ciara Grant win league titles in Australia and Scotland
LAST UPDATE | 18 May 2025
UNDERDOG CENTRAL Coast Mariners claimed their first A-League Women’s title on Sunday after prevailing 5-4 in a penalty shootout over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
It was a day to remember for Mayo multi-sport star Sarah Rowe.
The 29-year-old — who has represented the Mayo footballers at inter-county level and Collingwood on the AFLW stage — started the game at right-back for the Mariners against her former club.
Ballina native Rowe played 71 minutes, having joined the Mariners in December of last year.
Scores were deadlocked at 1-1 following regulation and extra time, forcing the first penalty shootout in the competition’s grand final history.
Victory’s Alana Jancevski hit the crossbar on the first kick before the Mariners calmly nailed five in a row to trigger scenes of jubilation.
“We were very lucky to win and they were unlucky to lose,” Mariners goalkeeper Sarah Langman said.
“We were ready (for the penalty shootout) and knew we could do it.”
Showing no nerves in their maiden grand final appearance, Mariners defied the partisan crowd with Matildas squad member Isabel Gomez breaking the deadlock in the 46th minute.
Victory were forced into attack mode in a bid to become the first team since Sydney FC in 2009 to come from behind and win a grand final.
After waves of attack, Victory were finally rewarded when New Zealand international Claudia Bunge headed the ball past Langman in the 80th minute.
For just the second time in the competition’s history, the grand final went into extra time, but neither team could break the deadlock.
Mariners’ triumph was a remarkable comeback for the A-League Women’s smallest club after they were kicked out of the competition in 2010 due to a lack of funding before making a celebrated return two years ago.
During a regular season where they finished fourth, the Mariners showcased tactical discipline under Emily Husband, one of only two women coaches in the 12-team league.
They entered the final on the back of a major semi-final upset to end Melbourne City’s hopes of a trophy treble.
It’s been a fruitful period for the franchise with the Mariners men’s team having claimed back-to-back titles. The men’s A-League grand final will be held on 31 May.
Meanwhile, Ireland international Ciara Grant is celebrating Scottish Women’s Premier League glory with Hibernian.
Hibs won the title in dramatic fashion with a 1-0 final day victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
Linzi Taylor’s 74th minute winner was the difference, while Grant played the full game. The Donegal midfielder/defender finishes her first season at the club as a league champion, having crossed the Edinburgh divide from Hearts last summer.
Hibs are the fourth different winners in four seasons, following Rangers, Glasgow City and Celtic. It is their first title since 2006/07.
– © AFP 2025
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy and Emma Duffy
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Central Coast Mariners Melbourne Victory Sarah Rowe Take a Bow Ireland Republic Mayo