Kelly's Shels beat Athlone to lift FAI Cup
Aoife Kelly, left, joins in the celebrations aftter Maeve Wollmer (14) had scored Shelbourne's third goal in the 3-1 win over Athlone Town in the Club Orange Womens FAI Cup Final at the Tallaght Stadium Photo: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon
Aoife Kelly’s Shelbourne caused something of an upset then they defeated Athlone Town in the Club Orange Womens FAI Cup Final at the Tallaght Stadium this afternoon.
Athlone Town won their third successive Women’s Premier Division title without kicking a ball on Saturday when Galway were beaten 3-0 by Wexford, and they were strongly fancied to retain the Cup as well.
However, Shels tore up the form book and scored three times in the opening half.
Athlone pulled a goal back in the final minute but by then, the game was well over.
It’s another piece of silverware for Kelly’s growing collection after she played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win.
She was an unused substitute when Shels beat Athlone in the 2023 FAI Cup Final, as the club completed the league and cup double during her first senior season in senior soccer.
Kelly played with Shamrock Rovers in the 2024 season, and after moving to Wexford for 2025, she won the All-Island Cup there alongside Lauren Dwyer and Kylie Murphy. She was also named as Under 19 International Player of the Year at the FAI Awards in 2025 for her performances for her country.
After signing for Shels this season, Kelly again won that All-Island Cup and today completed a cup double that adds to her already impressive haul of titles at still a very young age.
