Athlone Town will be hoping to reverse the result of the 2022 FAI Cup final when they play Shelbourne in the showpiece fixture in Tallaght Stadium on Sunday (kick off, 3pm ).
Having yet to concede a goal en route to the final, Ciarán Kilduff’s team have wholly merited a successive final fixture appearance and have grown in confidence following his managerial appointment in June.
As Athlone Town aim for a historic win on Sunday, their journey to the final has been laden with much drama, successive penalty shoot out victories enjoyed as progress made through this esteemed cup competition.
The first round of this season’s Sports Direct FAI Cup saw Athlone host Galway United in Lissywollen and following final whistle stalemate, custodian Katie Keane, signed from Shelbourne during the mid-season recess, proved the hero, her save ensuring a place in the quarter final stage.
Athlone hosted newly crowned league champions, Peamount United, at the quarter final stage of the competition and once again a penalty shootout ensued, Keane revelling in her role as match hero, her spot kick save affording the home team an opportunity to advance to the semi-final stage of the competition.
Sligo Rovers awaited in the semi-final and in a wholly dominant display, Athlone Town advanced to the final with a 4-0 win in the Showgrounds. A brace from the influential Maddie Gibson, complemented by goals from Jesi Rossman and Roisin Molloy saw the visitors to the North West achieve a prized place in the FAI Cup final.
The final now awaits....
