Athlone Town's Dana Scheriff in action against Shelbourne's Leah Doyle. Photo: Paul Molloy.

Athlone Town duo to be honoured in awards ceremony

Kieran Galvin

Published: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 3:01 PM

Last updated: Mon 13 Nov 2023, 3:07 PM

There are two Athlone Town winners in the 2023 SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Awards.

Athlone attacker Dana Scheriff has been confirmed as the Golden Boot winner, having finished as top scorer with 13 goals. It's a nice boost for the American ahead of the Women's FAI Cup final in which Athlone face Shelbourne on Sunday.

With Scheriff grabbing two goals, Athlone fought back from 4-1 down against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium last Saturday.

Scheriff and experienced Ireland international Áine O'Gorman went into the last league game of the season tied on 11 goals each. O'Gorman scored her 12th of the season to put her side 4-1 up against Athlone, temporarily going top of the goalscoring charts in the process.

Scheriff brought Athlone closer to draw level with O'Gorman's tally, and an own goal from Savannah McCarthy reduced the deficit further.

Scheriff struck again in the 94th minute to secure a dramatic draw for her side, also clinching the Golden Boot award. Madison Gibson scored Athlone's opening goal after Lia O'Leary had given Rovers the lead.

The result denied Rovers second place in the Premier Division table, with Shelbourne finishing second instead.

Incidentally, Rovers had three former Athlone players in their starting line-up last Saturday: Jessica Hennessy, Melissa O’Kane and Scarlett Herron.

Meanwhile, Athlone Town defender Mary Phillips has been chosen as the WU17 LOI Academy Player of the Year. The Portlaoise teenager is also part of the Athlone senior squad that is preparing for this Sunday's cup decider.

The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Awards will take place in Clontarf Castle on Thursday, November 23, and the Team of the Year will be announced at the ceremony. The nominees (and already confirmed winners in some cases) are as follows.

Women’s Premier Division Manager of the Year: Phil Trill (Galway United), James O’Callaghan (Peamount United), Collie O’Neill (Shamrock Rovers).

Women’s Premier Division Player of the Year: Sadhbh Doyle (Peamount United), Karen Duggan (Peamount United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United).

Women’s Premier Division Young Player of the Year: Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United), Scarlett Herron (Shamrock Rovers), Lia O’Leary (Shamrock Rovers).

Bank of Ireland Golden Gloves: Niamh Reid-Burke (Peamount United).

Evoke.ie Golden Boot: Dana Scheriff (Athlone Town).

EA Sports WU19 LOI Academy Player of the Year: Ceola Bergin (Wexford Youths).

EA Sports WU17 LOI Academy Player of the Year: Mary Philips (Athlone Town).