Athlone Town women bidding for more glory
It’s full steam ahead for Athlone Town women in the search for an unprecedented “double double” as Lily Agg takes her juggernaut to a place they are all too familiar with at this stage, Tallaght Stadium, tomorrow (Sunday) for their fifth FAI Cup final in a row (kick-off 3.30pm, live on TG4).
Athlone will be facing a very familiar foe in what will be their third meeting in the showpiece in the last four seasons, as Sean Russell’s Shelbourne side stand in the way of yet more FAI Cup glory.
Agg, who in previous years would be flying into the country for an international camp, is well aware of what’s in store and she describes it as a “massive occasion.”
“Even when I was playing over in England I’ve always followed the game, how many fans go to the game and the occasion itself. It's obviously a bit weird that it's mid season and not at the end of the season this year, but listen a Cup final is a Cup final so we have to respect that occasion but we can’t wait, as a team, to get there now,” said the Athlone Town boss.
Having all but sealed the title, just needing a solitary point from their remaining three games, the Town are in scintillating form ahead of Sunday and boast an incredible unbeaten run since Irish international Agg took the reins dropping points on just one occasion, which was at home to Shelbourne.
Since overcoming another title hopeful in Galway United in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to earn their final spot, Athlone's league form has been impeccable and despite Hannah Waesch's red card against DLR Waves on Saturday raising some questions over the skippers eligibility, there was nothing to worry about as the suspension will carry into the next league game meaning Athlone Town will be as close to full strength as possible ahead of kick-off.
Star striker and the league's top scorer, Dana Scheriff bagged a brace on Saturday, her first goals in two months, and looked back to her clinical best, with Agg admitting she had to be patient with the 28-year-old who missed the majority of that “dry spell” with injury.
“It’s great to have her back out here with us," said Agg. “We’ve gradually built up her fitness over recent games so now she’s at peak fitness and just in time for the Cup final which is also great.”
Shelbourne, the 2022 and 2024 FAI Cup winners, defeating Athlone in those finals, have had more of a disjointed preparation in recent weeks. Having already bagged the All-Island Cup, Shels have seen some disruption on and off the field. Out went Irish International Aoibheann Clancy, replaced by the exciting Isabella Flocchini and Katie McCarn.
There was also a welcome return to the squad in the shape of hotshot Kate Mooney and the dangerous Becky Watkins to bolster Russell’s attacking options.
But losing two crucial games in a row has been far from ideal, firstly a damaging defeat away to Sligo and then seeing their unbeaten home run ended by Shamrock Rovers in a feisty Dublin derby. There was also a surprise omission of one of the league's best defenders in Maggie Pierce from last Saturday’s side, one to keep an eye on.
And despite the troubles in Drumcondra, Agg is fully focused on her own side and what it will take to get over the line, potentially drawing on some of her own experiences in grand occasions to further help her charges.
“We are focusing on where we are at now. The previous finals are in the past, with different teams, but since I’ve come in we’ve been undefeated in the league and cup which is what we take confidence in.
You know we’re going to turn up and do our best, we’re preparing in the right way and hopefully it will be a great game of football," said Agg.
“Pressure is a privilege, we’ve earned the right to be there. I’m super proud of them and will be regardless, but it’s up to them to go out there and showcase themselves and make themselves proud. They’ll leave it all out there and I have no doubt they’ll give a good account of themselves and I have every belief that my team will go out and do that,” she added.