Athlone Town swoop for Shelbourne legend Noelle Murray

ON THE MOVE: Noelle Murray has joined Athlone Town. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

Noelle Murray’s disappointment at her “disgraceful” treatment by Shelbourne has been succeeded by the joy of joining double winners Athlone Town.

Murray was the controversial casualty of Seán Russell’s clearout when taking over Shels in November, given the 35-year-old lifted three Women’s Premier Division titles, four FAI Cups and three WNL Cups over her nine years of service.

She was left “heartbroken” at being informed of the decision via a telephone call, upset she wasn’t afforded the opportunity of seeing out the final year of her career, even as a fringe player.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS. pic.twitter.com/cFuSWa8Jz9

— Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) January 14, 2026

Her shock availability sparked a hunt by all of Shels’ rivals during the off-season and the club who’ve replaced the Reds as the country’s supreme force were successful with their invite.

Murray is in line to make her Athlone debut in the President’s Cup final on March 8, ironically against the club she’s been associated with throughout her career; Shels.

Manager John O’Sullivan, who took over from Colin Fortune in September, has been on the lookout to replace last year’s top scorer Kelly Brady, now a Crystal Palace players after penning an 18-month deal.

Otherwise, Athlone had managed to keep intact the majority of their double-winning squad, including the retention of US-born pair Maddie Gibson and Hannah Waesch.