Athlone Town captain Hannah Waesch in action during the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division match versus DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl in Belfield on Saturday. Photo: Mark Kavanagh/Sportsfile

Athlone captain cleared for Cup final despite last weekend's red card

Published: Mon 21 Sep 2026, 3:10 PM

Athlone Town women's inspirational captain Hannah Waesch WILL be available to play in this weekend's Club Orange Women's FAI Cup Final against Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium (3.30pm) – despite her dismissal in Athlone's league victory against DLR Waves last Saturday.

Fears had been rife among Athlone supporters that the key midfielder would be suspended for the decider in Dublin.

But the Football Association of Ireland today (Monday) clarified to the Westmeath Independent that Waesch's one-match suspension, for two yellow cards, will not be served until Athlone face Galway Utd in the league on October 3.

'Hannah Waesch will be available for the Final. Unless any additional sanction is imposed, she will serve the one-match suspension against Galway Utd on October 3', the FAI confirmed.

The news will come as a major boost for Athlone, who moved within touching distance of retaining the Women's League of Ireland Premier Division title with a comfortable three-goal victory against DLR Waves.

Following defeats for closest challengers Shelbourne and Galway Utd, Athlone needs just one point from the remaining three league fixtures to mathematically ensure a third straight Premier Division success.

Leading goalscorer Dana Scheriff made her first start since suffering an injury in late July, and scored twice as Athlone stretched their lead at the top of the table to 12 points. Emma Mooney had earlier opening the scoring.

The Town's remaining league matches will be at home against Galway Utd (October 3), away to Shelbourne (October 17), and at home against bottom-placed Cork City (October 24).

It would take an unlikely set of results to see Galway catching Athlone, with second-placed Shelbourne out of the race after their defeat against Shamrock Rovers. Galway would only catch Athlone if the Town lose all three league games, and they win their four remaining fixtures.

Attention, however, will turn to the Cup final this weekend as Athlone bids to retain the trophy at Tallaght Stadium. The club's have met three times in the last four finals, with Shels' winning twice and Athlone emerging victorious in 2023. Athlone won last season's Cup final with a victory against Bohemians.