Athlone Town bank first silverware of women's season with President's Cup win

There were changes aplenty in the Athlone and Shelbourne camps from last season.

Shelbourne's Maggie Pierce and Hazel Donegan of Athlone Town. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

President's Cup: Athlone Town 1 Shelbourne 0 

After a long 148-day wait, the Women's League of Ireland season finally kicked off with a tense, tight but entertaining showpiece in Westmeath with Athlone Town grabbing the first silverware of the season on International Women's day thanks to Dana Scheriff’s well-taken second-half strike.

As is the nature of the league, there were changes aplenty in both camps. Athlone, last season's double winners, have added the likes of Melissa O’Kane, the returning Dana Scheriff and - in one of the most talked about moves in recent years - Shels legend, Noelle Murray amongst others.

Shels, reigning President's Cup holders, have overhauling the side from top to bottom, replacing boss Eoin Wearen with Sean Russell. The Reds recruitment drive has come from within the league and abroad, with Peamount's flying winger Becky Watkins making the trip from South to North Dublin, Aoife Kelly following a similar path to return to Tolka from Shamrock Rovers, and the likes of stopper Mya Sanchez, Olivia Damico and former fan favourite Maggie Pierce coming in from the US.

With little in the way of goalmouth action early, the hosts began to get a footing and began using their wing wizards Roisin Mooney and Madie Gibson to create from wide.

After 20 minutes, Gibson drifted in from the right and looped a volley narrowly wide of Sanchez’ post. Moments later the New Jersey native was at it again, curling a left footed effort from just outside the area that narrowly missed the top corner.

Clearly targeting the Athlone left hand side, Becky Watkins delivered a number of quality crosses into the area but it seemed new signing Brie Severns just wasn’t quite on the same wavelength just yet.

On the stroke of half time the home side should have been ahead when Emma Mooney's low shot was incredibly saved by the feet of Sanchez who was sharp to get across goal.

Town boss John Sullivan, opted for two changes at the break with Chloe Singleton and Scheriff entering the fray, with the latter almost making an immediate impact firing a volley over just.

Out of the blue the visitors burst into life with a tidy move when Aoibheann Clancy found Jess Gargan bursting down the right. With all the time in the world the right back cleverly cut back to the unmarked Watkins who, with the goal at her mercy, fired just over from 12-yards out.

The home side's strength in depth ensured the pressure on the Reds continued and with 20 minutes remaining the fresh legs finally told as Kellie Brennan swept in a low cross from the right which was turned home brilliantly by Scheriff on the stretch.

Sean Russell’s side almost hit the double winners with a massive sucker punch in the 90th minute when the immense Aoibheann Clancy got free just left of the area and volleyed agonisingly wide. But Athlone held on for victory.

ATHLONE TOWN: Courtney Maguire; Kelly Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Natalie McNally, Shauna Brennan; Roisin Molloy (Isabel Ryan, 61’), Hanna Waesch, Emma Mooney, Melissa O’Kane (Chloe Singleton, 46’), Madie Gibson (Alexis Strickland, 61’); Hazel Donegan (Dana Scheriff, 46’) 

SHELBOURNE: Mya Sanchez; Jess Gargan, Maggie Pierce, Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle (Lucy O’Rourke, 75’); Rebecca Watkins, Alex Kavanagh, Aoibheann Clancy, Aoife Kelly, Olivia Damico (Madeleine McKinley, 78’) ; Brie Severns (Halle Harcourt, 85’) 

Referee: Daryl Carolan