Show Notes
Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke return to look back on another busy weekend of action across the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division, with storylines emerging at every level of the game. The episode opens with a look at the Women’s Development League (6:52), where Athlone Town’s approach of fielding a number of first team players in their second tier fixtures so far comes under discussion, raising questions about development versus competitiveness. Attention then turns to the Women’s U17 League (10:56), where Mayo’s remarkable 11–1 win over Sligo Rovers prompts a conversation about academy structures and what it could mean for the Bit O’ Red at underage level. In the Women’s Premier Division, Bohemians made a fast start against Cork City (16:00), with two early goals from Ciara Maher coming from pinpoint Sarah McKevitt corners. Savannah Kane added a late third, but Cork will feel they left opportunities behind, including two missed chances from captain Eva Mangan. Peamount United spoiled the reunion in Tallaght Stadium with a 2–0 win over Shamrock Rovers (27:44), as goals from Sophie Byrne and Sorcha Melia secured the result. The panel take a closer look at Byrne’s opener, which may have taken a decisive deflection. Galway United maintained their perfect start with a 2–1 win over Sligo Rovers (37:42). Sydney Stephens had given Sligo the lead early on, but two Ceola Bergin penalties, one in each half, turned the game. The match also saw an unusual moment as Niamh Farrelly accidentally collided with the referee, knocking him to the ground during play (46:55). Wexford and Shelbourne shared the points in an entertaining 1–1 draw (48:27). A flowing Shelbourne move involving Aoibheann Clancy, Aoife Kelly and Becky Watkins set up Damico for the opener, before Ciara Rossiter quickly equalised. Shelbourne will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty just before the break. Athlone Town edged past DLR Waves with a 1–0 win (56:19), courtesy of a freak own goal. Despite dominating large spells, Athlone again struggled to convert chances, while DLR will point to missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome. Treaty United secured bragging rights in the Munster derby with a 3–0 win over Waterford (60:12). Ciara Breslin struck twice, with Kate Jones adding a late header, as Madison McGuane and Katie Lawlee impressed throughout. Waterford created chances but were unable to find a way past Katherine Hess. The episode concludes with a full review of the latest fixtures and standings across the Women’s Premier Division (64:55), the Women’s Development League (66:22) and the Women’s U17 League (67:16), before the lads discuss the issue of attendances across the league and the challenges facing clubs in growing matchday crowds (68:50).
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Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke (@LetsTalkLOIW) are back to break down another weekend of SSE Airtricity League Women's Premier Division action as the season moves towards its decisive stages. Athlone Town's pursuit of a third consecutive league title continues to gather momentum after another significant victory, this time coming away to Shamrock Rovers. The champions left Tallaght with a 2-1 victory and another precious three points as they continue to put themselves in control of the destination of the league trophy. There was a big result at the Showgrounds too. Sligo Rovers' excellent run of form was halted by Waterford, who travelled north and produced an impressive 2-1 victory. Breifne and Aaron look at a result that once again demonstrates just how competitive the league has become. Galway United were made to work for all three points against Cork City. Five goals and plenty of drama eventually produced a 3-2 Galway victory as they attempt to keep themselves involved at the business end of the table. Peamount United also enjoyed an excellent afternoon on the road, putting three unanswered goals past DLR Waves, while Treaty United secured another important result with a 1-0 victory over Bohemians at the Markets Field. The lads discuss what all five results tell us about the current state of the league, the title picture and the teams building momentum as we enter the closing stages of the campaign. Finally, the show turns to Tolka Park and a fascinating meeting between Shelbourne and the University of North Carolina. With UNC in Dublin around the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, the game provided a rare opportunity to see one of American college soccer's most famous programmes take on League of Ireland opposition. Breifne and Aaron look back at the occasion, the football on display and what can be learned from bringing the NCAA and League of Ireland women's games together.
Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke (@LetsTalkLOIW) are back to review the Club Orange FAI Women's Cup semi-finals before turning their attention to a full weekend of SSE Airtricity League Women's Premier Division action. Athlone Town and Galway United produced a tense semi-final encounter with little to separate two of the country's leading sides. Ultimately it took a penalty shootout to decide who would progress, with Athlone holding their nerve to book another major final and keep their hopes of adding cup silverware to their title challenge alive. There was considerably less uncertainty in the other semi-final. Shelbourne travelled to Leeside and produced a devastating performance against Cork City, hitting six without reply to emphatically secure their place in the FAI Women's Cup Final. The result continues a remarkable run of form for the Reds, who have forced themselves back into the league title conversation and now have another major trophy firmly in their sights. With the cup finalists decided, attention switches back to the Women's Premier Division this weekend. Shamrock Rovers' meeting with Athlone Town is one of the standout fixtures as the champions continue their pursuit of a third successive league title, while Galway United look to respond when they welcome Cork City. Sligo Rovers host Waterford at the Showgrounds, Treaty United meet Bohemians at the Markets Field, and DLR Waves face Peamount United as another important round of league fixtures gets underway. There's also an unusual international flavour at Tolka Park on Friday night. Ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic weekend in Dublin, Shelbourne welcome NCAA opposition from the University of North Carolina for a fascinating meeting between the League of Ireland and one of the best-known collegiate programmes in the United States. Breifne and Aaron discuss what can be taken from the fixture, the very different structures surrounding the women's game in Ireland and the NCAA, and another busy weekend ahead across the league.
Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke (@LetsTalkLOIW) return after a two-week break to catch up on a hugely significant period in the SSE Airtricity League Women's Premier Division and Club Orange FAI Women's Cup. After a difficult couple of weeks away from the show following a family bereavement, the lads have plenty of football to work through, including the two rearranged league fixtures played over the last two nights. The title race has taken a dramatic turn, with Athlone Town putting one hand on a third consecutive league trophy. Victories over Peamount United, Sligo Rovers and Wexford FC have strengthened the Midlanders' position at the top just as their closest challengers have started to stumble. Galway United's previously relentless challenge has hit its first sustained speed bump of the campaign, with dropped points away to Sligo Rovers and Bohemians allowing Athlone to seize the initiative. But the title race is far from a two-team affair. Shelbourne have quietly put together one of the strongest runs in the division. Victories over Wexford, Bohemians, Peamount and Cork City have propelled the Reds right back into contention and suddenly added another dimension to the battle at the top. Breifne and Aaron look at how the momentum has shifted, what the recent results tell us about the leading contenders and where the title race now stands heading into the decisive stages of the season. Attention also returns to the Club Orange FAI Women's Cup. The lads look back at the quarter-finals which opened the month before turning their attention to this weekend's semi-finals. Cork City face the considerable task of attempting to dethrone holders Shelbourne, while Athlone Town host Galway United in a heavyweight encounter between two sides whose rivalry has already helped define the 2026 season. By the end of the weekend, just two clubs will remain on the road to the FAI Women's Cup Final.
Breifne Earley is joined by Aaron Clarke (@LetsTalkLOIW) to review another fascinating week across Irish women's football. The episode opens with Athlone Town's UEFA Women's Champions League campaign coming to an end following defeat to Poland's Czarni. The panel reflect on what was still a hugely positive European adventure for the League of Ireland champions and what the experience can do for the club moving forward. Back on the domestic front, Sligo Rovers once again demonstrated why they are one of the form teams in the Women's Premier Division. Their impressive 3-2 victory away to Bohemians continued an outstanding run of results and further strengthened their push up the table. Shamrock Rovers also feature heavily in the discussion after leaving it late once again to rescue a point against Waterford. The panel ask whether the late goals are a sign of championship mentality or if Rovers are making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves. Galway United's patience eventually paid off as two late goals secured a 2-0 victory over DLR Waves, while Treaty United held Shelbourne to a draw and Wexford FC continued their strong campaign with victory away to Cork City. Away from the pitch, Breifne and Aaron discuss the growing importance of communication and attention to detail across the league, and how publicly available registration data through FAI Connect can reveal player transfers before clubs officially announce them—raising interesting questions about modern football administration and information sharing. Attention then turns to one of the biggest weekends of the domestic season as the Club Orange FAI Women's Cup reaches the quarter-final stage. The panel preview every tie: Bohemians v Shelbourne Athlone Town v Shamrock Rovers Galway United v Sligo Rovers Douglas Hall v Cork City
Breifne Earley is joined by Aaron Clarke (Let's Talk LOIW) and Emma Kate Dineen to review one of the busiest and most significant weeks of the season across Irish women's football. The episode begins with Shelbourne's victory in the All-Island Cup Final, as goals from Becky Watkins and Pearl Slattery secured a deserved 2-0 win over Galway United to lift the trophy in front of a packed Tolka Park. Attention then turns to another entertaining weekend of league action. Peamount United and Waterford produced an eight-goal thriller at the RSC, with Eleanor Ryan Doyle leading the visitors to an important victory. Shamrock Rovers left it until the final minute before Alice Buggle's winner secured all three points against Treaty United, while Sligo Rovers continued their excellent run of form with another impressive victory over DLR Waves. Athlone Town's comfortable league win over Bohemians is also reviewed before attention switches to Europe, where the Midlanders made an outstanding start to their UEFA Women's Champions League campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over ŽFK Skopje. The panel then discuss one of the biggest talking points in Irish women's football this week: player transfers. With Maria Reynolds completing her move from Shamrock Rovers to Sheffield United and Sydney Stephens departing Sligo Rovers for Atlas FC Femenil in Mexico, the conversation explores what these transfers say about the growing quality of the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division, while also questioning whether clubs are receiving fair compensation for developing players who move abroad. Finally, the panel preview another huge week ahead, including Athlone Town's second UEFA Women's Champions League qualifier against WFC Nike in Poland, alongside a full round of SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division fixtures. 🎧 Listen now: https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e29/