Team Captain
central midfielder Laurie Ryan has been a fantastic leader on and off the pitch for ATAFC this season. The Clare native is a science lecturer at the Technical University of the Shannon’s Athlone Campus. Now in her second year with the club Laurie has made over 45 appearances for the senior women’s team.
Goalkeepers
Regular goalkeeper Niamh Coombes joined Athlone in 2020 and has an impressive 15 clean sheets in her 40 plus appearances to date. The Ballyfermot native previously enjoyed spells at Kilkenny and Akranes and Volsungur FC in Ireland, where she earned herself a league winner’s medal at senior level.
The former U15 Irish international was Athlone’s player of the year in 2020.
Bonnie McKiernan hails from Lacken in Co Cavan. The 18-year-old secondary school student at Breifne College has made four appearances at senior level for the club but has a wealth of experienced at underage level.
Third-choice keeper, Ciara Glackin, hasn’t seen much action for the senior side but has provided solid competition for the squad’s other keepers. Has been with Athlone for three years.
Defenders
Jessica Hennessy has been an absolute revelation at the back for Athlone this season. The 20 year old’s performances have not gone unnoticed, and she was called up for the national women’s team training camp for Irish based players. The TUS student and Co Westmeath native has been with the club for the last three seasons, but she struggled with injury in 2020 and 2021.
Athlone native Kayleigh Shine has put in several impressive displays for Athlone, as well as showing an ability to get forward when the need arises. She played her underage football for Bealnamulla, which in 2000 was the first club from the town to make it to a FAI Women’s Cup Final. She has also enjoyed success at underage and schools level and has worn the green of Ireland at U19 level. The 19-year-old left centre back has been with the club since it first entered the WNL three years ago and has scored two goals in her 47 senior appearances for the club.
Kelsey Munroe has impressed in recent games giving manager Tommy Hewitt the right type of selection headache. A no nonsense type of defender who is a student at the Technical University of the Shannon. Now in her second year at Athlone, Kelsey has represented Ireland at U15 and U19 level.
Melissa O’Kane is a versatile and solid right sided defender/midfielder who recently played in the European qualifiers for Ireland’s U19s. A native of Ardagh Co Longford, the 18-year-old student has played some 43 times and scored three goals for Athlone since joining at the start of the 2021 WNL season.
Antea Guvo is a left sided player who can play in midfield or defence made her debut for ATAFC against Cork earlier this year. The 17-year-old who hails from Split in Croatia has played underage for ATAFC, is a Gaynor Cup winner and is a student.
Lucy Jayne Grant is a highly dependable, versatile player who has come off the bench on several occasions for Athlone this season. Currently a student at the University of Galway, Lucy Jayne adds significant depth to Tommy Hewitt’s playing resources.
Fiona Owens is a fiercely committed defender who unfortunately misses the final due to injury. Featured prominently for the team prior to her injury.
Leah Brady is another talented player who sadly misses out due to a long-term injury.
Midfielders
Kate Slevin joined from rivals Galway WC. Has proven herself to be reliable and consistent when called upon and put in solid performance in the centre of the park during Athlone’s recent 1-0 win against her former club. Kate also plays for University of Galway’s senior women’s team.
Scarlett Herron joined mid-season from Peamount in what has proven to be an inspired signature by the club. The Leaving Cert student also involved in Ireland’s recent U19 games in Poland and has earned several individual awards and winners’ medals at underage level.
Muireann Devaney is without doubt one of the most talented playmakers in the WNL. Muireann has been a hugely important player since Athlone joined the league. The Manorhamilton native, who has also excelled at Gaelic footballer, is a fantastic passer and striker of the ball who has weighed in with some important goals for the side.
Gillian Keenan has weighed in with some important goals this season. She joined the club this season following spells with Treaty United, Kilkenny United and Peamount United in the WNL. She has won multiple honours in the game as well as representing Ireland at U16, U17 and U19 level.
Roisin Molloy can be described as a classic old-fashioned winger, who during the 2022 season has created a plethora of scoring chances for the team’s forwards. Her speed has also tormented many an opposing full-back in the process. However, she is also an extremely hard worker on and off the ball and is no stranger when it comes to helping out in defence.
Ciara O’Neill is another young player with a promising future ahead of her. A native of Portlaoise, Ciara has made six appearances in the WNL after making her debut earlier this season.
Emma McGrath has recently broken into the first team reckoning, having previously been with Bohemians. Another squad member, who made her debut in August against Cork, with an impressive underage CV.
Forwards
Kellie Brennan is very much an all-action player who has shown some excellent form during the 2022 season whether it’s coming in from off the bench or from the start. The Co Galway native showed a national audience how good a player she is when earning the ‘Player of the Match’ award during the recent televised WNL game against Wexford Youths.
Emily Corbet is another member of Athlone’s Laois contingent, Emily’s form in front of goal has been outstanding in 2022 and she has been in the running to be the WNL top scorer. She has 25 goals in her 50 plus appearances for the club, but her overall work and assist rate have also impressed those who have seen her play.
Maddison Gibson joined mid-season and has proven herself to be a revelation in the WNL and cup competitions. The 25-year-old has a proven track record of success in the highly competitive world of College soccer in her native US for Division 1 outfit Monmouth University. Her hat-trick in the cup semi-final is one of her many highlights since joining the club.
Millie Daly has been scoring goals for Athlone U17s and U19s as well as nabbing one for the Irish U17s TEAM in Portugal. One for the future.
Dana Scheriff is the club’s second American signing of 2022, who joined the club in January. Unfortunately, her career in the Midlands was blighted seven games in by a long-term injury.
Aoife Murphy O’Connor is another young player that has performed extremely well for the Anto Fay coached Athlone U17s. She made her debut for the seniors in the WNL against Treaty United in May.
