Athlone Town Are FAI Cup Champions
Athlone Town are the Women's FAI Cup champions.
They beat the holders Shelbourne 4-3 on penalties at Tallaght Stadium yesterday.
The sides couldn't be separated after extra-time, with the game ending 2-2 after 120 minutes.
It looked like the cup was set to slip away in that extra-time period after Jemma Quinn smashed home hers, and Shelbourne's second.
However, 98th minute substitute Gillian Keenan had other ideas when she got on to the end of a sumptuous ball from Athlone's first sub of the final, Muireann Devaney.
"As long as we push forward and play together, we can come out on top".
Those are the words of FAI Cup winner with Athlone Town, Madison Gibson.
Despite missing a penalty in the decisive shoot out, Gibson offered a consistent attacking outlet for the midlanders in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
The former Monmouth University winger says their 4-4 comeback draw against Shamrock Rovers the week before just underlines her team's character:
The goal that send us to penalties 🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/Xo2hPoXfJ0
— Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) November 19, 2023
Athlone's top scorer for the season is Dana Scheriff, after scoring her spot kick in the shootout that won Athlone the cup, she reflected on the game and the season as a whole with Midlands 103's David Hollywood:
These people in Athlone gave us their reactions to the game, and the win:
Athlone boss Ciaran Kilduff tells the assembled media he was very proud of his side:
It was Noel King's final game in charge of Shelbourne - but he says it was still a great occasion for football in Ireland.