Just four years ago, Athlone Town made their first appearance in the Women’s National League, highlighting their swift progression by being on the brink of securing their maiden SSE Airtricity Premier Division championship. A win against Bohemians on their home territory on Saturday evening (broadcast live on TG4, 7.35pm) would secure the title for them.
They are currently three points ahead of Shelbourne with only two fixtures left, and their superior record in direct encounters with the Dublin team means they would clinify the championship even in the event of both teams finishing with equal points.
Thus, Shelbourne is relying heavily, albeit improbably, on Bohs to do them a big favour if the contest for the title is to continue into the final week. Firstly, they need to overcome current champions Peamount United at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon (2pm) and then hold out hope that Bohs can halt their current three-match losing streak, during which they have let in 13 goals, and manage to scrape at least a draw against the league leaders.
If such an outcome was to occur, the championship would then hang on the result of the last round of games due for a week from now, with Athlone facing a challenging match against Galway United, who currently sit third and are six points behind the leaders, having defeated Athlone in the season opener. Notably, Shels will also face a tough battle, being tasked with an away game against Shamrock Rovers.
However, to sidestep potentially nerve-wracking climax to the championship race, Athlone is hoping to dispatch of Bohs and kick off their title festivities, before shifting their focus to the FAI Cup final scheduled for October 20th, where they will be up against Shelbourne for the third consecutive year.
Under the guidance of Ciarán Kilduff – a former title-holder himself with Rovers and Dundalk, and who took the helm in June of the previous year – Athlone Town has enjoyed a sensational season. They clinched their first ever FAI Cup victory under his leadership; the league title is now within their grasp.
Despite losing key players such as Casey Howe, who transferred to Nottingham Forest, and Chloe Singleton due to season-ending injury back in August, their record only fell once in their past 14 matches prior to their 3-3 tie against Rovers the previous week. Fortunately, players like Madie Gibson came forward, earning the title of SSE Airtricity player for September and scoring four goals in her last four league appearances. Brenda Ebika Tabe of Cameroon added significant contribution, making her mark by netting six goals in an equal number of matches since her recruitment in July. Should they maintain their composure this coming Saturday night, they will be crowned as only the fourth team to secure victory since the competition began 13 years ago, following the likes of Peamount United, Raheny United/Shelbourne and Wexford Youths. This would symbolise a remarkable ascendancy in their history.