Latest news with #Women'sPremierDivision
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Athlone Town sweat on fitness of key trio ahead of 'massive' Champions League qualifier
ATHLONE TOWN ARE sweating on the fitness of key players Madie Gibson, Kelly Brady and Izzy Groves ahead of their historic Uefa Women's Champions League qualifier. Colin Fortune's side face Welsh outfit Cardiff City at Athlone Town Stadium on Wednesday [KO 7.30pm, live on LOI TV], with over 1,000 tickets snapped up. But the Women's Premier Division champions have several injury concerns. Attacking star Gibson went off injured in last Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Treaty United, while captain Groves hasn't played since last month's FAI Cup win over Terenure Rangers. In-form striker Brady is also a doubt after coming off against Treaty, but is hopeful she can be available. 'We're assessing them. They're massive players,' Fortune told reporters on a Zoom call this afternoon. Advertisement 'We're going to assess them again tonight. We're getting a lot of rehab and physio done with them. We're hopeful, but at this point, we're still a little bit out and it's very hard to make a call on it yet. 'The Treaty game thrown in when it was didn't help us, I don't think we're developed for that yet, them type of games coming around as quick as they did, I don't think we're ready for that and it's done a bit of damage to us in relation to our preparation. 'Listen, that's it. We move on. If the guys are available, brilliant. You want them players available, the experience they bring, but if they're not, we've other players ready to come in. We'll get behind whatever 11 players are on the pitch — it's not even the 11, it's about the squad, it's about the 24, 25 players we have. 'We'll give Cardiff a right go no matter who's on the pitch.' While Athlone remain unbeaten atop the Women's Premier Division table, Cardiff City — the reigning Welsh double champions — come into this tie out of season. It's their third consecutive Champions League appearance, while Athlone are making their debut in European women's competition. Athlone Town manager Colin Fortune. James Lawlor / INPHO James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO 'It's massive for us, it really is,' said Fortune. 'The atmosphere around Athlone at the minute is really, really electric. Every person you meet on the street is talking about this Champions League game. 'The opportunity for us to host a Champions League game . . . it's '83 since we hosted Standard Liège last. That's a long, long time for a club like Athlone. I know in recent history Athlone hasn't been in a good place, but the women's team have been in a good place. They've been very, very good. 'This is massive for our club, it's massive for the community, it's massive for the football people of Athlone. Athlone town is a football town. Something like this might just get people back on side, get people back supporting the club.' The winners of Wednesday's first qualifying round semi-final face ŽNK Agram of Croatia in the final at Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
RTÉ Soccer Podcast: Evan Ferguson at Roma, effective England and LOI's Euro ties
Shelbourne's Rachel Graham joins Raf Diallo look back on England's Euro 2025 final win over Spain, picks her player of the tournament and talks Athlone Town in the Champions League, while Richie Towell and Graham Gartland talk Evan Ferguson, Kevin Zefi, the LOI sides in Europe and Friday's results. TIMESTAMPS 00:40 Rachel Graham reviews England's Euro 2025 final triumph over Spain and picks her player of the tournament 08:40 Rachel looks ahead to Athlone Town's Women's Champions League against Cardiff City and the reigning SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions' draw against Treaty United last week. 14:10 Rachel talks about being on the losing side with Shelbourne in Saturday's Avenir Sports All-Island Cup semi-final against Bohemians, who will face Wexford in the final. 22:00 Rachel discusses Collie O'Neill's decision to resigns as Shamrock Rovers boss and the appointment of Republic of Ireland legend Stephanie Zambra as interim head coach. 26:15 Rachel on the transfers of Republic of Ireland internationals Jamie Finn and Jessie Stapleton to Sunderland and Nottingham Forest (on loan) respectively, 29:45 Richie and Graham, who played with Evan Ferguson's father, talk about Evan Ferguson's now-completed move to AS Roma, as well as Ireland youth international Kevin Zefi's development as he eyes a move away from the Italian capital giants. 44:25 Graham and Richie on Shelbourne's Champions League tie with Qarabag after a 3-0 loss in the first leg, and St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers looking to build on first leg wins in the Conference League. 01:03.50 Richie and Graham review Friday's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division results, as Sligo Rovers staged a comeback win over Cork City, Waterford won at Galway United and Derry City and Bohemians shared the spoils; plus Richie on Sean Keogh's impending move from Dundalk to Brighton and Graham's reaction to the draw for the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup third round which features a host of derbies and the meeting of last year's finalists.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-Ireland striker takes charge of Shamrock Rovers following coach departure
Shamrock Rovers have announced the appointment of former Ireland striker Stephanie Zambra as their interim head coach. The 2014 FIFA Puskas Award runner-up and 58-time capped star was working as assistant coach to the women's team. But following the resignation of Collie O'Neill, Zambra has accepted the offer to step up to the top job on a temporary basis and will take charge of Tuesday night's Women's Premier Division clash against Waterford. Rovers confirmed the appointment in a statement, which read: 'Shamrock Rovers F.C. can confirm that current assistant coach, Stephanie Zambra, has been appointed interim Head Coach of our Women's First Team and will prepare the squad for Tuesday's game against Waterford at Tallaght Stadium.' O'Neill's departure had been announced on Thursday. He left along with assistant coach Ciaran Ryan. Zambra is a hugely experienced former player, who moved into the coaching team at the start of this season, following her decision to retire as a player. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Her career took her from the League of Ireland to France, the USA, England with Sunderland, and Italy, before her return to these shores in 2020 with Peamount United. She made the move to Rovers in December 2022 and spent two seasons as a player. Rovers' upcoming fixtures include the visit of Waterford, an away game against Wexford on August 2, they are at home to Galway on August 9, and away to Shelbourne in the FAI Cup on August 16. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Life at the top with Rovers is over as Collie O'Neill steps down
Shamrock Rovers confirmed that Collie O'Neill resigned as the club's women's boss on Thursday. The Drogheda native was in charge of the Hoops for two and half years after Rovers returned to the women's top-flight in 2023 after a nine-year absence. Rovers, who had Ireland international Ruesha Littlejohn in their ranks for the first half of the season, currently sit mid-table in the Women's Premier Division having lost 1-0 at home to DLR Waves last weekend. Shamrock Rovers confirmed that Collie O'Neill resigned as the club's women's boss. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The Hoops are also in the Women's FAI Cup quarter-finals. They will face a trip to holders Shelbourne in a few weeks' time.
The 42
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Collie O'Neill resigns as Shamrock Rovers boss
SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE confirmed that Collie O'Neill has resigned as women's first-team head coach. O'Neill departs after two and a half seasons at the helm, having taken charge as Rovers returned to the Women's Premier Division in 2023. Advertisement UCD's 2018 Men's First Division winning manager oversaw third and fifth-placed league finishes, while the Hoops reached the All-Island Cup final last year but were beaten by Galway United on penalties at Tallaght Stadium. TOTAP Las Damas first reported O'Neill's resignation on Tuesday night, following a 1-0 defeat to DLR Waves at the weekend, and Rovers confirmed the news in a statement this morning. It reads: 'Shamrock Rovers FC can confirm that Collie O'Neill has decided to resign from his position as Head Coach of our Women's First Team. 'We would like to place on record our thanks to Collie for his contributions during his time at the club, and we wish him the very best for the future. 'Assistant coach Ciaran Ryan has notified the club that he will also depart at this time. We also thank Ciaran for his work with Shamrock Rovers and send best wishes for what comes next.' Rovers currently sit sixth in the league table, 12 points off the top with six games remaining, and their next fixture is against Waterford FC next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Ireland international Claire Walsh has joined Celtic. The 30-year-old makes the move from Glasgow City on a one-year deal, joining Saoirse Noonan at the club.
