Rovers U17s celebrate

SHAMROCK Rovers U17 women’s team celebrated their first ever cup victory at this level after a 5-1 victory over Athlone in the EA Sports WU17 LOI Cup final.

Goals from Ella Kelly, Keelin Comiskey, Sorcha Melia, Anna Butler and Kassie McLoughlin sealed the victory in style for the hoops.

Surprisingly given the scoreline, Rovers actually went behind to start the game, as Athlone scored directly from a corner and continued to apply significant pressure on Laura Fanning’s goal following the opener.

After a change of formation, Keith Coffey’s side began to get a foothold in the game as they restored parity through Ella Kelly who finished off a slick Rovers move.

Comiskey gave the hoops the lead following a first time Frank Lampard esque outside the box strike which flew into the top corner of the net.

Anna Butler, left, and Ella Kelly of Shamrock Rovers celebrate after the final whistle

Sorcha Melia extended the Rovers lead with a similar left footed finish, before Anna Butler who recently returned from injury, bullied her way through the Athlone defence before finishing calmly to give her side a three goal cushion.

However, the best was yet to come, as Kassie McLoughlin latched onto a pass and from 25 yards out, let the ball bounce once before connecting perfectly on the half volley to lob the Athlone keeper and put the cherry on top of an outstanding hoops performance in the Midlands.

Captain Robyn Gleeson lifted the cup following the final whistle, but this Rovers side can make further history as they sit top of the league table, nine points clear of Athlone with four games remaining, albeit the Midlanders hold a game in hand over Rovers.

Coffey’s side face back-to-back fixtures against Wexford before hosting Shelbourne and Waterford to finish out the season.

There are a number of underage internationals involved in the side, with Ella Kelly, Anna Butler and Laura Fanning all appearing for Ireland’s u17’s in their fixture against Wales recently.

Keelin Comiskey, Mia Murtagh, Sophie Byrne, Ciara Milton, Hailey Twomey, Lara Dallaghan and Sarah Doyle are all Ireland U16’s internationals as well.

Speaking following the game, manager Keith Coffey said; “It’s massive for us to be fair to the girls, we spoke at the start of the season about being here which is something not a lot of teams like to do.”

“We talked about winning and writing our names into the history books.

“To be the first girls side ever to win a cup with all the history and success this club is built on is huge.”

Shamrock Rovers only entered a side into the Women’s Premier Division in 2023, with the future of women’s football within the club now looking very bright to say the least.

“Other young girls are now looking at us to set the standard and to be the place to go” “I’m not surprised we won it given the way we’ve trained and behaved all year.”

“What I loved most was after the game, my captain Robyn Gleeson came up to me and just said the job is not finished yet.”

Rovers will have the opportunity to “finish the job” and write their names into the history books with a win away to bottom placed Wexford on Saturday, with kick-off at three o’clock in Ferrycarrig Park.