Scheriff returns for second stint with Athlone Town

Athlone Town have been given a major pre-season boost after confirming striker Dana Scheriff has returned to the club ahead of the new SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division campaign.

Fresh from the addition of former Shelbourne striker Noelle Murray to their first team squad, the club announced that Scheriff, who won the 'Golden Boot' in 2023, was returning for the 2026 season.

The US born striker also played a pivotal role as Athlone Town won the Women's FAI Cup in 2023, before departing for pastures new and stints with FC Aarau in Switzerland, FC Brooklyn in New York, and Czech outfit Slavia Praha.

The club has also confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Courtney Maguire.

Maguire previously played for Bohemian and Shelbourne, and becomes John Sullivan's fifth signing of the new season.

Former women's first team goalkeeper Megan Plaschko departed the club in the close season.

Meanwhile, Athlone Town manager Ian Ryan continues to make additions to his men's first team squad ahead of the 2026 season with the signing of striker Peter Grogan.

The striker previously played for Bray Wanderers before joining Austin FC II in the MLS Next Pro league.

The men's first team has its first competitive outing of the year when they host Dundalk in the Leinster Senior Cup in the Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday at 1pm.

They then travel to the AUL Complex in Dublin to play Shelbourne in the same competition on Tuesday, January 27, kick-off 7.30pm, before completing their Group A fixtures with a highly anticipated local derby fixture against current CCFL Senior Division champions St Peter's in the Athlone Town Stadium on Friday, January 30, at 7.45pm.