LOIWomen's Podcast: Athlone Survive, Shelbourne Hit Six & League Action Returns - S6 E32

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.