Athlone Take Control, Shels Surge & FAI Cup Semi-Finals

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.