Hazel Donegan with the Women’s Premier Division trophy after Athlone Town won this year's league title. Photo: Paul Molloy.

Donegan departs Athlone Town for US challenge

Ronan Fagan

Published: Thu 12 Nov 2026, 1:11 PM

Texas Tech Soccer has confirmed the signing of Athlone Town's Hazel Donegan.

Donegan joined the Athlone Town youth academy in 2022 and her five years with the club saw the striker win three Women's Premier Division titles (2024, 2025, 2026) and one Women's FAI Cup accolade (2025).

Based in Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Tech Red Raiders soccer team represent the State university.

A daughter of Denise and Joe Donegan, Hazel hails from a renowned sporting family.

Her grandfather, the late Seamus Nugent was a key figure on the famed Athlone GAA team which won six Westmeath senior championships in a row from 1955 to 1960, and was captain of the winning team of 1958.

Donegan's departure from Athlone Town comes in the wake of Madison Gibson's decision to leave the club which was confirmed last week.

Gibson was an ever present with Athlone Town over the last four and a half seasons during which the US forward player secured three successive league titles and featured in five FAI Women's Cup final appearances in a row.