Galway United and Shelbourne meet at Eamonn Deacy Park this afternoon with a place in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup on the line
The 2026 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season comes down to a decisive afternoon in Galway.
Athlone Town have already been crowned Champions and will represent Ireland in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The second European place, a spot in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup will be decided today when Galway United host Shelbourne at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The game was due to be played yesterday but was moved to this afternoon because of the weather warnings across the west of the country.
Here is everything you need to know about how the UEFA Women's Europa Cup spot works, the two teams in contention and what is at stake.
How does qualification for Europe work?
For the first time, the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division has two European places on offer. This follows Athlone Town’s European run last season, which improved Ireland’s standing in UEFA’s women’s rankings.
The League champions qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The runners-up qualify for the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, UEFA’s second-tier club competition for women which launched in the 2025/26 season.
Athlone Town became the first Irish club to play in the Europa Cup last season. They dropped into the competition after their Champions League qualifying run ended against Breiðablik.
Where do things stand?
Shelbourne and Galway United go into the final game level on 42 points, with Shelbourne second on goal difference.
Galway moved into second place last weekend with a 2-1 win away to Peamount United. That put the pressure on Shelbourne, who came from behind to draw 1-1 with Champions Athlone Town at Tolka Park and move back above Galway United on goal difference.
A win or a draw would be enough for Shelbourne, while Galway United must win to finish second.
The contenders
Shelbourne have already enjoyed a remarkable season under Seán Russell, winning both the Women’s All-Island Cup and the Club Orange Women’s FAI Cup.
Galway United, under Phil Trill, will be hoping home advantage helps them avenge their Women's All-Island Cup Final defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park in July. The sides drew 0-0 when they met in the league at Tolka Park in May.
When is it?
Galway United v Shelbourne kicks off at 15:00 today at Eamonn Deacy Park and is live on TG4 Player and App.
Sligo Rovers v Peamount United, which was also moved from yesterday, kicks off at the same time live on LOITV at The Showgrounds.
