President Michael D Higgins applauds the Athlone Town team which won last year's President's Cup against Shelbourne in Lissywollen. The Town will host Peamount in this year's tie on March 3. Photo: Sportsfile.

Athlone to host President's Cup clash for second year running

Adrian Cusack

Published: Thu 18 Jan 2024, 2:39 PM

The reigning women's FAI Cup holders, Athlone Town, will host league winners Peamount United in the 2024 Women’s President's Cup match.

The annual game, initiated by President Michael D Higgins, is the traditional curtain-raiser for the season ahead.

This year it will be played at Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday, March 2, with a 5pm kick-off.

After losing to Shelbourne in the 2022 FAI Cup final, Athlone hosted the double-winning Dublin side in last February's President's Cup game in Lissywollen.

There was a dramatic ending to that tie as it finished 2-2 at full-time, resulting in a penalty shoot-out which was won by Athlone.

And the Town repeated that trick in the FAI Cup final in Tallaght nine months later.

With the game again level at 2-2 after extra time, Athlone won it 4-3 on spot-kicks, with Dana Scheriff, Chloe Singleton, Kayleigh Shine and Jesi Rossman all converting.

Athlone Town supporters can buy tickets for the President's Cup game with Peamount here.

Ciaran Kilduff's side recently announced details of the players signed so far for the 2024 season (see story here).