Athlone Town retain Women's Premier Division title in style

The champions strolled to a 4-0 victory over Cork City thanks in large to a second half hat-trick from Kelly Brady.

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Athlone Town players celebrate winning the league. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon.

Cork City 0 Athlone Town 4

Athlone Town have retained the Women's Premier Division title as they defeated Cork City at Turner's Cross on Wednesday night.

And they did it in style as the visitors, knowing that a win would be enough to secure the crown for the second season in succession, strolled to a 4-0 victory thanks in large to a second half hat-trick from Kelly Brady.

Kelly Brady celebrates with the matchball. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kayleigh Shine opened the scoring for the champions in the first period before Brady secured the match ball and the league title for Athlone again, with the Women’s FAI Cup final still to come later this month against Bohemians.

Cork City: Una Foyle; Zoe Finnerty, Ciara O’Driscoll, Ciara McNamara, Shaunagh McCarthy, Cliodhna Malone, Lauren Homan, Heidi Mackin, Eva Mangan, Amy McCarthy, Christina Dring.

Subs: Sadbh McGoldrick for McNamara (ht), Sophia Redmond for Malone (55), Jodie Griffin for Amy McCarthy (74), Eva Loftus for Mangan (78).

Athlone Town players and staff celebrate winning the league title. Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Athlone Town: Maria Matthaiou; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Natalie McNally, Shauna Brennan, Hannah Waesch, Israela Groves, Roisin Molloy, Maidson Gibson, Alexis Strickland, Kelly Brady.

Subs: Kate Slevin for Groves (ht), Emma Mooney for Strickland (ht), Isabel Ryan for Molloy (72), Aoife O’Connor for Gibson (73), Sarah Rice for Brennan (73).

Referee: Alan Franklin.