Christine Allen reports live from Tolka Park
In stark contrast to the one-sided FAI Cup Final in October, Shelbourne and Athlone fought through a closely contested 90 minutes—a battle from which Shelbourne ultimately prevailed,
edging out the visitors with a 2-1 win.
In truth, had Athlone been more clinical in the finish, the game was anyone's for the taking.
Colin Fortune’s squad started strong, with Roisin Molloy weaving through space on the right flank, new U.S. signing Kelly Brady posing a constant threat up top, and Madison Gibson drawing defenders like a magnet on her favored left lane.
New defensive signing Natalie McNally looked to be a stellar coup for The Town as she frustrated the pacy Mooney, while Kellie and Shauna Brennan clocked an impressive shift.
At times however, Athlone looked vulnerable in the center, as former Championship player Izzy Groves sought to fill Laurie Ryan’s shoes (no easy feat) and Brady dropped back to link up with her skipper.
A misplaced pass or mistimed challenge belied a squad still needing time to gel—a contrast further accentuated by Shelbourne’s fluidity and cohesion.
In spells, the affair was scrappy, both teams guilty of a touch of ring rust as the game played out in fits and starts.
Shelbourne looked comfortable on the ball, as Leah Doyle, Alex Kavanagh and Kate Mooney sought to make things happen.
The Auld Reds were at their most dangerous through set-piece play, with Shelbourne, to their credit, punishing two half-chances while Athlone Town were left to rue their own.
Swarmed by red shirts, new signing Megan Plaschko did well to collect several inswinging deliveries as Kavanagh and Clancy whipped in cross after cross—until a corner in the 14th minute paved the way for the breakthrough.
Aoibheann Clancy, bringing a touch of the Debonair to Drumcondra, tucked the ball away after it ricocheted off the woodwork, netting her first goal for The Reds to give Shelbourne the lead.
The former Wexford Youths star shone - no doubt catching the attention of both past and present WNT forewomen, Eileen Gleeson and Carla Ward, who watched from the stands.
Former Ole Miss Rebels forward Brady came close with a header and a strike —the 22-year-old missing a golden opportunity just before half-time to secure the leveller, lofting an inch perfect ball from Gibson high and over Amanda McQuillan’s goal.
To add insult to injury, Shelbourne’s second came moments later when Mooney beat Plaschko in the 42nd and nestled the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
The number 11 very nearly secured a brace in the second half with an audacious attempt on the volley that soared toward Athlone’s goal, but Plaschko scrambled back in time to gather the effort.
Roisin Molloy, leading with a tenacity that Town fans can be proud of, stepped up in the 73rd minute and buried a penalty with the composure of a seasoned pro, sparking hopes of an Athlone resurgence.
Shelbourne’s defensive kernel - Leah Doyle, Keeva Keenan, Slattery and O’Rourke however stood firm, stifling Athlone’s efforts in the final third, while the introduction of Jemma Quinn disrupted S.Brennan’s forward charges as she fought to contain the powerful striker.
The introduction of Hazel Donegan and Isabel Ryan injected a fresh energy, but it wasn’t enough for the visitors to alter the course of the contest.
The chirp of the final-whistle, blown after two minutes of additional time, ended Athlone’s hopes of securing a third consecutive win of The Presidents Cup.
Shelbourne’s subdued celebration only reinforced the obvious - that there’s a long way to go in this campaign.
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