Athlone Town captain Hannah Waesch (centre) with the President's Cup alongside teammates Madison Gibson (left) and Shauna Brennan after Sunday's win over Shelbourne. Photo: Alex Bolger.

Scheriff shoots down Shels as Athlone win President's Cup

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Athlone Town 1 Shelbourne 0

By John Dingle

On her return to the Athlone Town women's squad, Dana Scheriff shot down Shelbourne as the 2025 double winners claimed the first silverware of the new season by winning the President's Cup in Lissywollen yesterday (Sunday).

The President's Cup has become is the traditional opening game of a new campaign and Athlone laid down an early marker as to their aspirations with victory over their old rivals.

Scheriff came on as a substitute for the second half and proved to be the match winner as Shels surrendered the trophy they had won last year.

Despite the usual pre-season comings and goings, Athlone had just one player making their Town debut as goalkeeper Courtney Maguire lined out against her former club. Melissa O’Kane returned after a spell with Shamrock Rovers as eight players that ended the 2025 season with FAI Cup medals again started for Athlone.

Scheriff broke the deadlock after 70 minutes and it proved the winning goal. Having returned to replace last season's departed top scorer and fellow American Kelly Brady, Scheriff showed she had lost none of her goal scoring touch while away playing in other countries. Kellie Brennan played the ball in from right and Scheriff struck past the Shelbourne keeper with a close range shot.

While Scheriff claimed the headlines with the winning goal, dynamic midfielder and new captain Hannah Waesch again showed her value to Athlone with an all action display.

The real business starts on Saturday in the Showgrounds when the Town will begin the defence of their Women's Premier Division title against Sligo Rovers (kick-off 5pm).

Athlone Town: Courtney Maguire, Kayleigh Shine, Kellie Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Shauna Brennan, Emma Mooney, Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson, Hazel Donegan, Melissa O’Kane. Subs: Dana Scheriff and Chloe Singleton for Donegan and O’Kane (H-T); Isabel Ryan and Alexis Strickland for Molloy and Gibson (61 mins).

Shelbourne: Mya Sanchez, Pearl Slattery, Alex Kavanagh, Rebecca Watkins, Jessica Gargan, Aoife Kelly, Leah Doyle, Aoibheann Clancy, Brie Severns, Margaret Pierce, Olivia Damico. Subs: Lucy O’Rourke for Doyle (73 mins); Madeleine McKinley for Damico (80); Halle Harcourt for Severns (84).

Referee: Daryl Carolan (Louth).

*See more in this week's print edition.

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