The LOIWomen Show on FinalWhistle

The new season edges closer, and in Episode 2 of Season 6 Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke continue the build-up to the first silverware of 2026 — the President’s Cup Final between Athlone Town and Shelbourne.
The lads complete their comprehensive Women’s Premier Division squad previews as transfer business begins to settle and genuine contenders start to reveal themselves.
They go through Sligo Rovers updates (2:00), Peamount United (5:38), DLR Waves (11:00), Shamrock Rovers (18:22), Galway United (25:04), Shelbourne (29:44) & Athlone Town (33:33)
With squads taking shape, attention turns fully to Sunday’s President’s Cup Final.
Athlone Town forward Madison Gibson (45:50) joins the show to discuss the new arrivals in the Midlands, the departures from last season’s double-winning squad, and the mentality required to defend a title. She also steps into the hot seat for the FinalWhistle President’s Cup Quiz — can she beat Jess Gargan’s score from last week?
The focus then shifts to the Women’s Development League, where three new senior teams secured landmark first wins. Cobh Ramblers’ Alice Ahmeti (1:20:12) joins the podcast to reflect on her pathway from Leeside and Cork City to becoming part of Cobh’s ambitious project. She discusses the club structure, the importance of senior opportunity, and her hopes for the season ahead, as CK United and St. Patrick’s Athletic also celebrate breakthrough moments.
Breifne and Aaron close out the episode by reviewing the latest results, fixtures and tables from both the Women’s Development League and the Women’s U17 League, as the foundations of the next generation continue to strengthen.
Season 6 is building momentum — and the competitive action hasn’t even started yet.

Season 6 of the League of Ireland Women’s Podcast is officially underway — and it’s our most comprehensive season launch yet.
Breifne Earley (@BreifneEarley) and Aaron Clarke (@LetsTalkLOIW) are joined this week by special co-host Emma Kate Dineen (@EmmaKateDineen), former LOITV commentator and Treaty United media team member, as we dive headfirst into everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 campaign.
We begin by breaking down the squad movement across half the league, analysing what the ins and outs could mean for clubs chasing silverware, European spots, or stability this season. Treaty United (11:09), Wexford FC (15:57), Waterford FC (20:41), Cork City (24:05), Bohemians (32:57) and Sligo Rovers (38:31) all come under the microscope as we assess recruitment, departures and tactical direction heading into the new campaign.
Shelbourne’s Jess Gargan (46:07) then joins us to preview the President’s Cup Final against Athlone Town on Sunday 8th March. We discuss preparation, facing the league and cup double winners, and what it would mean to start the season with silverware.
Attention then turns to the Women’s Development League (1:09:13), where the new season kicked off in emphatic style. We review a weekend that saw Dundalk defeat Sligo Rovers 6–0, DLR Waves put eight past Kerry, Bohemians score seven against Drogheda, Galway United impress against Peamount, and plenty more statement performances across the country.
Dundalk forward Sophie Hanlon (1:17:47) joins the show after scoring a remarkable 14-minute hat-trick in that 6–0 victory. She reflects on her explosive start, the growing competitiveness of the Development League, and her ambitions for the season ahead.
We then head northwest to speak with Finn Harps Director of Women’s Development and Women’s U17 manager Paddy McDaid (1:28:20), who outlines the importance of having an adult women’s team in Donegal, the pathway for local girls to access elite football, and the significance of creating visibility for representative honours.
Finally, we round up the opening weekend of the Women’s U17 League (1:47:15), where Shamrock Rovers, Galway United, Athlone Town, Shelbourne, Peamount United and Bohemians all delivered eye-catching results as the next generation begins to emerge.
It’s a packed, in-depth start to Season 6 — from senior squad reshuffles to grassroots pathways and everything in between.
🎧 Listen now on FinalWhistle.ie, Spotify and YouTube.

It’s the final show of the season, and Breifne Earley and Meabh De Burca are looking back at a memorable FAI Women’s Cup Final where Athlone Town completed the double in style.
Despite a spirited display from Bohemians, a Kelly Brady hat-trick led the Midlanders to glory in Tallaght.
The Gypsies opened the scoring with a rocket from Alannah McEvoy, and a late long-range strike from Aoibhe Brennan capped off their scoring – but it wasn't enough to deny Athlone their first-ever League & Cup double.

🏆 Cup Final Highlights:

🎩 Kelly Brady hat-trick heroics

🚀 McEvoy and Brennan with stunning goals

💪 Bohs push Athlone all the way

🏟️ A brilliant showcase to close the domestic season

🇮🇪 International Preview:
Breifne and Meabh also look ahead to the Republic of Ireland's crucial double-header playoff with Belgium in the UEFA Women's Nations League, as Jess Ziu, Jamie Finn, and domestic talents gear up for one final battle in 2024.

🎧 Listen now to wrap up the season with us

It’s the last league episode of the season and Breifne Earley is joined once again by Meabh De Burca (@MeabhDeBurca) to wrap up a wild final weekend in the Women’s Premier Division, reflect on the retirements of four legends, and look ahead to this weekend’s FAI Women’s Cup Final.
🏆 Final Day Highlights

🔥 Shamrock Rovers 5–4 Shelbourne
Nine goals, comebacks, and chaos in Tallaght.
Aine O’Gorman marked her final league appearance with an early goal, but Shels fought back from 4-2 down to level before a late Anna Butler strike gave the Hoops the win in a thrilling contest.

🥳 Athlone Town 4–0 Sligo Rovers
A party in the Midlands as the Champions signed off in style.
Maddie Gibson struck early and late, while Kelly Brady and Hannah Waesch added to the tally. Athlone could’ve had more after hitting the woodwork three times.

⚽️ Peamount United 3–3 Bohemians
A red card, cracking finishes, and late drama in Dalymount.
Ellen Dolan, Becky Watkins, and Eleanor Ryan Doyle scored for the Peas, but a red card for keeper Amanda Budden turned the tide. Alannah McEvoy, Hannah Healy, and a thunderbolt from Hannah O’Brien earned Bohs a deserved draw.

🎯 DLR Waves 1–3 Galway United
Galway end strong with a trio of stunning strikes.
Lynsey McKey, Amanda Smith, and Ceola Bergin with a long-range beauties. DLR’s Neema Nyangasi replied with a smart finish.

🎩 Wexford FC 3–0 Cork City
Kylie Murphy bows out in style.
A hat trick from the Wexford icon sealed the win in her farewell appearance, bringing down the curtain on a glittering 14-year career.

🎉 Waterford FC 3–2 Treaty United
Wild finish in the RSC.
Trailing 2–0 after goals from Bella Flocchini and Madison McGuane, Waterford launched a furious comeback via Meadhbh Doherty, Fiana Bradley, and Ruby Linnane. A gutsy final push in front of their home crowd.

👟 In the Spotlight

🇮🇪 International Squad Named
Jess Ziu and Jamie Finn return to the Irish squad for the Belgium playoffs, while Maria Reynolds and Kelly Brady (LOIW) join the training panel.

🏆 Cup Final Preview
Athlone Town v Bohemians – A first-time FAI Women’s Cup winner awaits. Who’ll lift the silverware in Tallaght this Sunday?

🙌 Goodbye, Legends
We pay tribute to retiring icons Aine O’Gorman, Karen Duggan, Kylie Murphy, and Rianna Jarrett – four trailblazers whose impact will echo long after full-time.

Former Irish international Meabh De Burca (@MeabhDeBurca) joins Breifne to dissect a weekend of late goals, spoiled parties, and standout performances across the Women’s Premier Division.
⚽ Match Highlights
🔴 Peamount United 1–0 Athlone Town
Champions Athlone’s unbeaten run is no more.
Eleanor Ryan Doyle broke hearts with a late goal to seal all three points in Greenogue and deny the title holders a perfect finish to the season.
🔵 Galway United 3–0 Waterford FC
A dominant Tribeswomen display.
Emma Doherty bagged a brace, and Amanda Smyth added a thunderbolt as Maeve O’Sullivan stood tall in the Waterford goal to keep the score respectable. Galway could easily have had more.
🟣 Sligo Rovers 2–3 DLR Waves
End-to-end action in the Showgrounds!
Both teams led, but it was Michelle Doonan’s late strike that gave the Waves a dramatic win. Sligo will look back at a missed penalty with regret.
⚫ Treaty United 1–1 Bohemians
A scrappy, intense affair at the Market’s Field.
Ciara Breslin looked to have handed Treaty a rare win, but a well-placed header from Róisín McGovern salvaged a deserved draw for a dominant Bohs.
🟢 Cork City 1–2 Shamrock Rovers
Drama in Cobh.
Aine O'Gorman and Jamie Thompson gave Rovers control, but a Christina Dring hustle goal brought Cork back into it. Maria Reynolds' backpass and red card late on summed up a chaotic end for the hosts.
🔴 Shelbourne 2–1 Wexford FC
Aoibheann Clancy the late show star.
After Mackenzie Anthony and Ellen Molloy traded goals, Clancy pounced late to keep the Reds in fine form heading toward the final stretch.
📰 Also on the Show
Republic of Ireland squad: Big decisions await with the announcement due next week.
In Her Boots: The next phase of the FAI x Aviva initiative aims to address the female player drop-off at youth level — what needs to happen next?