Athlone Town win 2023 Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup

Athlone Town created history by lifting the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup beating Shelbourne on penalties.

Athlone became the 23rd different team to lift the Women's FAI Cup in front of 3,526 spectators at Tallaght stadium.

The finished 2-2 after extra-time. Athlone clinching it 4-3 on spot-kicks with Dana Scheriff, Chloe Singleton, Kayleigh Shine and Jesi Rossman all converting.

There was not much between these teams at all. In fact, it took until the 33rd minute before the deadlock was broken. Indeed, Scheriff scored from close to give Athlone the lead.

It looked to be Athlone's game until substitute Jemma Quinn equalised on 75 minutes, finishing a poor punch by keeper Katie Keane to the net.

Extra-time

Nothing could be settled in 90 minutes so the game went to extra-time and Quinn looked to have won it with a wonder strike from distance.

However, Gillian Keenan struck a calm finish, four minutes from the end of extra-time to send the game to penalties.

Shelbourne the advantage when Madison Gibson failed to score from the first penalty. However, after Pearl Slattery and Scheriff both were successful, Shels missed through goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan.

It came down to the final penalty. When Shels midfielder Alex Kavanagh failed to convert the final penalty the cup was Athlone’s.

Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Rossman, Shauna Brennan (Kate Slevin 71); Laurie Ryan (Isabel Ryan 105), Lauren Karabin (Muireann Devaney 58); Roisin Molloy (Gillian Keenan 98), Chloe Singleton, Madison Gibson; Dana Scheriff.

Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Keeva Keenan, Maggie Pierce, Pearl Slattery,Leah Doyle (Rebecca Devereux 99); Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham (Nadine Clare 76), Hannah Healy; Megan Smyth-Lynch (Kerri Letmon 45), Noelle Murray, Christie Gray (Jemma Quinn 64).

Referee: Marc Lynch

Sports Direct Player of the Match: Chloe Singleton (Athlone Town)