HOLDERS ATHLONE TOWN made it an incredible five FAI Cup finals in a row as they eventually overcame a gutsy Galway United on penalties.
The victory sets up a showdown with title rivals Shelbourne for the fourth time in those five appearances.
Alexis Strickland gave her side a dream start after nine minutes only to see her goal cancelled out by a stunning Cara Griffin leveller. But it was Maria Matthaiou who stood big to save the decisive penalty after 120 plus minutes played.
Despite the absence of top goalscorer Emma Doherty, who has bagged 14 in all competitions, and Remini Tillotson due to suspension, there was a confidence in the visitors dressing room having been the only team to taste victory over Lily Agg’s juggernaut and proved yet again to be more than just a thorn in their side.
The hosts welcomed back star winger Madie Gibson after a recent injury, but were still without the league’s top scorer, Dana Scheriff. After navigating a youthful and exuberant Peamount United during the week, the hosts showed no signs of fatigue, and got off to a flying start.
The aforementioned Gibson was aggressive in midfield ,winning the ball back and to set up a three v one counter attack, releasing the pacey Izzy Ryan free on the right. With Alexis Strickland free in the middle, Ryan just over hit the cross allowing Amanda McQuillan to smother the cross.
Moments later the home side made up for the miss getting in front thanks to some confusion at the back. Niamh Farrelly’s initial tackle in the middle of the park sent the ball back towards her own goal, but Strickland was sharp to read the ball and forced a collision between the onrushing McQuillan and recovering Jade Rehberger.
The ball spilled kindly to the lively striker and made no mistake. To their credit the visitors showed why they have only fallen to one defeat in the league this season, and were inches away from levelling when Abbie Callanan struck the outside of the post with a beautiful volley from outside the area that had Maria Mattaiou rooted to the spot.
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The game settled into a real war of attrition as both sides refused to give an inch. Despite the visitors enjoying a bit more possession Matthaiou remained relatively untested and at the opposite end, Strickland’s pace and willingness continued to cause problems.
The half time break did nothing to calm things and with nothing to lose, Galway looked the more dangerous after the restart forcing a couple of good situations as well as having strikes from distance.
But despite the determined start it was the home side that went close to scoring next. Following some clever build up play down the left, Gibson delivered a pinpoint cross on to the head of Strickland who was unlucky to see her header come crashing off the crossbar and away to safety.
It was going to take something special for the visitors to level and substitute Cara Griffin conjured up just that collecting the ball on the right hand side of the box, fainted to shoot and curled an outstanding effort into the far top corner with just over a quarter of an hour to play.
With the game finely poised, and at the end of a three game week, the hosts did their best to ensure the unwanted extra-time would be a factor as both Izzy Ryan and Hannah Waesch were denied by some top class McQuillan saves right at the death.
Extra time followed at the same relentless pace with nothing to separate the sides as penalties beckoned.
In the nervy shootout, Galway opted to go first and both sides were perfect in the first four penalties taken until Isabella Beletic was unfortunate to sky her spot kick. Roisin Molloy put the pressure on the visitors making it three-two. Both scored their next penalties before the unlucky Niamh Farrelly saw her effort saved by Matthaoiu to send her side into the final.
Cork City 0
Shelbourne 6
SHELBOURNE BOOKED THEIR Women’s FAI Cup final ticket with a six-goal rout of Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
Four goals in 19 first-half minutes sunk the hosts as Shelbourne return to the decider after a year away.
Sean Russell’s side will face holders Athlone Town or Galway United in the Tallaght Stadium showpiece on Sunday 27 September, with the other semi-final down for decision at 7.35pm.
Maeve Wollmer (two), Alex Kavanagh, Nia Hannon and Kate Mooney were all on target for Shels, while an own goal rounded out the scoring.
Kavanagh broke the deadlock with a sixth-minute penalty after Cora O’Driscoll was adjudged to have handled Wollmer’s cross.
Hannon doubled Shels’ lead with her first Shelbourne goal in the 15th minute, heading home Leah Doyle’s free-kick.
Two minutes later, Halle Harcourt’s cross was turned in by Heidi Mackin, and TG4 Player of the Match Wollmer made it 4-0 with 25 minutes on the clock after brilliant work from Olivia Damico.
Maeve Wollmer arís! ⚽
Wollmer taps in from close range to make it 4! Is there a way back for Cork City?
That pair combined again early in the second half; Wollmer getting her head on Damico’s cross, with the Reds rampant and City reeling.
Derek Coughlan’s side did steady the ship and were much improved from there, carving out some chances of their own, but they conceded once more before the finish.
Zoe Finnerty was penalised for a challenge on Bri Severns, and Shels substitute Mooney scored their second penalty as she continues her comeback from an ACL injury.
Críoch den chéad scoth ó Kate Mooney ón spota píonóis! 👏
Kate Mooney rifles the ball into the top corner to make it six for Shelbourne! 🚀@CorkCityFCWomen 0@shelsfc 6
The Dubliners return to the FAI Cup final for the first time since their win in 2024, having lost to Bohemians in last year’s semi-final. City, meanwhile, haven’t been there since 2020, while they last lifted the silverware in 2017.
“This isn’t going to define us,” Rebel Army boss Coughlan told TG4. “We’re a very, very young group and we’re making progress. They’re disappointed they couldn’t put on a better show for the crowd that came here today. These days happen, that’s football.”
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Penalty shootout drama sees Athlone Town set up FAI Cup final clash with Shelbourne
LAST UPDATE | 22 Aug
Athlone Town 1
Galway United 1
(Athlone win 4-3 on penalties)
Darryl Geraghty reports
HOLDERS ATHLONE TOWN made it an incredible five FAI Cup finals in a row as they eventually overcame a gutsy Galway United on penalties.
The victory sets up a showdown with title rivals Shelbourne for the fourth time in those five appearances.
Alexis Strickland gave her side a dream start after nine minutes only to see her goal cancelled out by a stunning Cara Griffin leveller. But it was Maria Matthaiou who stood big to save the decisive penalty after 120 plus minutes played.
Despite the absence of top goalscorer Emma Doherty, who has bagged 14 in all competitions, and Remini Tillotson due to suspension, there was a confidence in the visitors dressing room having been the only team to taste victory over Lily Agg’s juggernaut and proved yet again to be more than just a thorn in their side.
The hosts welcomed back star winger Madie Gibson after a recent injury, but were still without the league’s top scorer, Dana Scheriff. After navigating a youthful and exuberant Peamount United during the week, the hosts showed no signs of fatigue, and got off to a flying start.
The aforementioned Gibson was aggressive in midfield ,winning the ball back and to set up a three v one counter attack, releasing the pacey Izzy Ryan free on the right. With Alexis Strickland free in the middle, Ryan just over hit the cross allowing Amanda McQuillan to smother the cross.
Moments later the home side made up for the miss getting in front thanks to some confusion at the back. Niamh Farrelly’s initial tackle in the middle of the park sent the ball back towards her own goal, but Strickland was sharp to read the ball and forced a collision between the onrushing McQuillan and recovering Jade Rehberger.
The ball spilled kindly to the lively striker and made no mistake. To their credit the visitors showed why they have only fallen to one defeat in the league this season, and were inches away from levelling when Abbie Callanan struck the outside of the post with a beautiful volley from outside the area that had Maria Mattaiou rooted to the spot.
The game settled into a real war of attrition as both sides refused to give an inch. Despite the visitors enjoying a bit more possession Matthaiou remained relatively untested and at the opposite end, Strickland’s pace and willingness continued to cause problems.
The half time break did nothing to calm things and with nothing to lose, Galway looked the more dangerous after the restart forcing a couple of good situations as well as having strikes from distance.
But despite the determined start it was the home side that went close to scoring next. Following some clever build up play down the left, Gibson delivered a pinpoint cross on to the head of Strickland who was unlucky to see her header come crashing off the crossbar and away to safety.
It was going to take something special for the visitors to level and substitute Cara Griffin conjured up just that collecting the ball on the right hand side of the box, fainted to shoot and curled an outstanding effort into the far top corner with just over a quarter of an hour to play.
With the game finely poised, and at the end of a three game week, the hosts did their best to ensure the unwanted extra-time would be a factor as both Izzy Ryan and Hannah Waesch were denied by some top class McQuillan saves right at the death.
Extra time followed at the same relentless pace with nothing to separate the sides as penalties beckoned.
In the nervy shootout, Galway opted to go first and both sides were perfect in the first four penalties taken until Isabella Beletic was unfortunate to sky her spot kick. Roisin Molloy put the pressure on the visitors making it three-two. Both scored their next penalties before the unlucky Niamh Farrelly saw her effort saved by Matthaoiu to send her side into the final.
Cork City 0
Shelbourne 6
SHELBOURNE BOOKED THEIR Women’s FAI Cup final ticket with a six-goal rout of Cork City at Turner’s Cross.
Four goals in 19 first-half minutes sunk the hosts as Shelbourne return to the decider after a year away.
Sean Russell’s side will face holders Athlone Town or Galway United in the Tallaght Stadium showpiece on Sunday 27 September, with the other semi-final down for decision at 7.35pm.
Maeve Wollmer (two), Alex Kavanagh, Nia Hannon and Kate Mooney were all on target for Shels, while an own goal rounded out the scoring.
Kavanagh broke the deadlock with a sixth-minute penalty after Cora O’Driscoll was adjudged to have handled Wollmer’s cross.
Hannon doubled Shels’ lead with her first Shelbourne goal in the 15th minute, heading home Leah Doyle’s free-kick.
Two minutes later, Halle Harcourt’s cross was turned in by Heidi Mackin, and TG4 Player of the Match Wollmer made it 4-0 with 25 minutes on the clock after brilliant work from Olivia Damico.
That pair combined again early in the second half; Wollmer getting her head on Damico’s cross, with the Reds rampant and City reeling.
Derek Coughlan’s side did steady the ship and were much improved from there, carving out some chances of their own, but they conceded once more before the finish.
Zoe Finnerty was penalised for a challenge on Bri Severns, and Shels substitute Mooney scored their second penalty as she continues her comeback from an ACL injury.
The Dubliners return to the FAI Cup final for the first time since their win in 2024, having lost to Bohemians in last year’s semi-final. City, meanwhile, haven’t been there since 2020, while they last lifted the silverware in 2017.
“This isn’t going to define us,” Rebel Army boss Coughlan told TG4. “We’re a very, very young group and we’re making progress. They’re disappointed they couldn’t put on a better show for the crowd that came here today. These days happen, that’s football.”
*****
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